Drilling tool holder, arrangement, and method of handling drilling tools

Abstract

A drilling tool holder, an arrangement for storing drilling tools and a method. The drilling tool holder (14) comprises two opposing spring clamps (21) between which is a slot (20) for receiving a drilling tool (8). The tool holder comprises a mechanical tensioner (22) for adjusting holding force generated by the spring clamps.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a drilling tool holder which is configured to keep in place drilling tools used the rock drilling. The drilling tools being handled by the holder are different tools needed in rock drilling and mining operations.

[0002] The invention further relates to an arrangement and to a method of handling drilling tools.

[0003] The field of the invention is defined more specifically in the preambles of the independent claims.

[0004] Rock drilling rigs provided with drilling units are used in mines and at other work sites for drilling holes to rock material. The rock drilling unit comprises a rock drilling machine for generating needed rotation and impact pulses for a drilling equipment connected to the drilling machine. The drilling equipment may comprise one or more drill rods or tubes and a drill bit at the outermost end of the drilling equipment. The drill bits wear during use and a need exists to change them time to time. For executing the drill bit change there is a need to store the drill bits in a magazine or corresponding tool storage. Typically the magazines comprise several bit spaces for receiving the drill bits. Elastic holding forces are directed to the received drill bits in the bit spaces and frictional forces keep the drill bits in place. The holding forces may be generated by means of springs. However, the springs wear out in use and can get too loose and not be able to hold the drill bit anymore. This is one of noticed disadvantages of the present solutions.Brief description of the invention

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved drilling tool holder, arrangement and method for handling drilling tools.

[0006] The drilling tool holder according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the first independent apparatus claim.

[0007] The arrangement according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the second independent apparatus claim.

[0008] The method according to the invention is characterized by the charactering features and steps of the independent method claim.

[0009] An idea of the disclosed solution is that the drilling tool holder comprises two opposing spring clamps between which is a slot for receiving a single drilling tool. The spring clamps generate holding force for keeping the drilling tool in place inside the slot and are capable to give way against the holding force when the drilling tool is removed from the slot. The tool holder further comprises a mechanical tensioner for adjusting holding force generated by the spring clamps.

[0010] In other words, the mechanical tensioner is provided for adjusting pre-tensioning properties of the tool holder by moving at least one of the spring clamps.

[0011] An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the holding force can be adjusted when the tool holder wears out in use and can get too loose to be able to hold the drilling tool. Thus, by means of the disclosed holding force adjustment, the wearing can be compensated. This way, service life of the tool holder can be extended, and operating costs can be lowered.

[0012] A further advantage is that the adjusting feature allows the same tool holder to be used for differently dimensioned drilling tools. Thus, versatility of the tool holder is increased.

[0013] When the tool holder is properly adjusted for holding the drilling tool, then the insertion and removal can be executed easily and quickly which ensures effective operation. Moreover, problems and malfunctions during the drilling can be avoided since the drilling tool is kept securely between the spring clamps and no interruptions caused by undesirably released drilling tool occurs.

[0014] Further, since the tensioner is a mechanically operating device, it can be simple in structure and light in weight. The tensioner may also be inexpensive and in some cases, it may be possible to retrofit the tensioner to an existing tool holder and to thereby provide an update. The mechanical tool holder is also easy to remove and change if needed since it is not connected to any source of external power i.e., there is no hydraulic, pneumatic of electrical connection to the tool holder.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the drilling tool to be stored to the tool holder is one of the following: a drill bit, a drill tube, a drill rod, a rock bolt, or a collaring pipe intended to be mounted partly inside an opening of a drilled hole.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the tensioner comprises a tensioning bolt and a nut. The tensioning bolt passes through the spring clamps and the holding force is adjustable by forcing the spring clamps towards each other by screwing the nut. In other words, the bolt and nut configuration can be used to increase and decrease the holding force. An advantage of the disclosed embodiment is that the bolt and nut arrangement is reliable, simple and inexpensive solution for providing the adjusting feature. A further advantage is that there is a screw thread between the bolt and the nut wherefore the adjustment can be very accurate.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment, there is a tensioning bolt which passes through one spring clamp only. Then the tensioning bolt may be fastened on inner surface side of one spring clamp by means of weld joint, for example.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the nut is of quick type nut provided with at least one protrusion for manual tool free screwing. In other words, the holding force generated by the bolt and nut configuration can be adjusted with hands and no tools are needed. This feature facilitates and quickens the adjustment.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the nut is a wing nut. Alternatively, the nut may comprise a transverse pin or corresponding element for facilitating turning of the nut with bare hands.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the tensioner comprises a quick release cam provided with an eccentric tensioning surface and having a locking position and a release position selectable by turning position of the quick release cam in relation to a tensioning bolt passing through at least one of the spring clamps. In other words, the tensioner has a mechanism for quickly locking and releasing the provided tensioning effect. When being released, the tensioner may be adjusted for increasing or decreasing the provided tensioning effect.

[0021] The tensioning bolt or a mechanism of the quick release cam may be provided with screw threads for adjusting the provided tensioning.

[0022] According to an embodiment, at least one of the spring clamps is provided with an elastic structure. In other words, spring clamp maintains it shape when being bent as the drilling tool is inserted and removed.

[0023] According to an embodiment, material of the spring clamp may be steel, for example.

[0024] According to an embodiment, only one of the spring clamps has the elastic structure.

[0025] According to an embodiment, both spring clamps have the elastic structures.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the spring clamps are arranged to be movable in relation to each other and the movement is spring loaded to provide the holding force. Thus, the spring clamps can be arranged to be linearly movable in relation to each other, or they can be arranged to be turnable in relation to a hinge or a joint section. There may be one or more separate spring elements for providing the spring loading, or the structures of the spring clamps may elastic.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the spring clamps are connected to each other non-detachably and between the spring clamps is a fastening portion for mounting the drilling tool holder. In other words, the basic structure of the tool holder has a single piece configuration. The tensioner is fastened to the basic structure. An advantage of this embodiment is that the structure is simple, durable and easy to manufacture. Further, the tool holder is easy to mount to a supporting surface or structure by means of one or more fastening screws arrangeable to pass through fastening notches or holes at the fastening portion.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the basic structure of the tool holder is made of sheet material by utilizing sheet metal techniques. This way, the basic structure can be made in a modern automatic sheet metal work machine center whereby it can be manufactured effectively and with low expenses.

[0029] According to an embodiment, free end portions of the spring clamps are provided with curved end sections. In other words, outermost ends of the spring clamps are curved away from the slot between them. Purpose of the curved end sections is to facilitate insertion of the drilling tools to the slot. The curved section may provide guidance for the insertion movement and may thereby provide fluent operation.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the disclosed solution relates also to an arrangement for storing drilling tools. The arrangement is provided with one or more drilling tool holders, The drilling tool holder comprises two opposing spring clamps between which is a slot being able to accommodate a single rock drilling tool. The drilling tool inserted to the slot is held in place by means of holding force generated by the spring clamps. The tool holder of the arrangement is in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed in this document and comprises at least one mechanical tensioner for adjusting the holding force.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the arrangement comprises at least two tool holders arranged at a distance from each other and wherein the slots of the tool holders are aligned. In other words, the arrangement comprising two aligned tool holders is capable of receiving and holding long drilling tools, such as extension rods and tubes as well as rock bolts and possible other long objects used in rock drilling measures.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the arrangement is part of a rock drilling unit which is located at a free end portion of a drilling boom.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the arrangement is part of a drilling tool magazine capable of storing a plurality of drilling tools.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the disclosed solution relates also to a method of storing a rock drilling tool. The method comprises: using at least one drilling tool holder comprising two spring clamps; inserting a drilling tool to a slot between the spring clamps; holding the inserted drilling tool inside the tool holder by means of holding force generated by the spring clamps; and removing the drilling tool from the slot and allowing the spring clamps to spread against the holding force during the removal. The method further comprises providing the tool holder with at least one mechanical tensioner and adjusting the holding force by means of the mechanical tensioner.

[0035] The above disclosed embodiments may be combined in order to form suitable solutions having those of the above features that are needed.Brief description of the figures

[0036] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling rig, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing some rock drilling tools, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing some features of a drilling tool holder, Figures 4 - 8 are schematic views showing structures and properties of some drilling tool holders, Figures 9 - 14 are schematic views showing some constructions of possible mechanical tensioners and quick type nuts for adjusting holding forces generated by drilling tool holders, and Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing an operating principle and structure of an alternative drilling tool holder.

[0037] For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.Detailed description of some embodiments

[0038] Figure 1 shows a rock drilling rig 1 operating at a rock drilling site 2 and comprising a carrier 3, at least one drilling boom 4 and a drilling unit 5 at e distal end portion of the boom 4. The drilling unit 5 comprises a feed beam 6 and a rock drilling machine 7 supported on the feed beam 6 and arranged to be moved on the feed beam 6 by means of a feed device. Drilling tools 8, such as drill rods 9 and drill bits 10 may be fastened to the rock drilling machine 6 for directing impact pulses and rotation to a rock surface being drilled. The drilling tools 8 wear and may be damaged, wherefore there is a need to provide new drill drilling tools 8 for ensuring efficient rock drilling.

[0039] The rock drilling rig 1 may be provided with one or more drill bit magazines for storing several drilling tools 8. Alternatively, there may be one or more other storage places and structures for storing the drilling tools 8. The magazine and the storage places can be placed at any suitable place on the carrier 3, drilling boom 4, feed beam 6, or anywhere else. Some possible places are illustrated by means of black dots. The rock drilling rig may comprise a manipulator or other mechanized apparatus for moving and handling the drilling tools, or alternatively, the drilling tools can be handled manually. The mentioned magazines and the storage places are provided with the drilling tool holders disclosed in this document.

[0040] Let it be mentioned that the disclosed long-hole rock drilling rig intended for drilling vertically or substantially vertically directed drill holes 11 and drill hole fans is only an example of the rock drilling rig 1. The solution can be used in any kind of rock drilling rigs.

[0041] Figure 2 discloses some possible rock drilling tools 8 used in different rock drilling measures and being suitable to be stored by means of tool holders disclosed in this document. Possible drilling tools 8 may be extension rods and tubes 9, drill bits 10, and collaring pipes 12 mountable to drill hole openings. Further, it is also possible to store by means of the tool holders different rock bolts 13 implemented in rock reinforcing.

[0042] Figure 3 discloses some features of a drilling tool holder 14. The tool holder 14 may be mounted to a magazine or a tool rack 15. Alternatively, the tool holder 14 is mounted as such to a support surface 16. Further, one single tool holder may be enough for supporting the drilling tools, or alternatively, several aligned tool holders 18 are arranged to provide proper support for the drilling tools.

[0043] Figure 4 discloses a tool holder 14 comprising two opposing clamps 19 between which is a slot 20 being able to accommodate a single rock drilling tool 8. The clamps 19 are spring clamps 21 configured to generate holding force directed to the rock drilling tool 8 when being inserted into the slot 20. The spring clamps 21 can give way against the holding force when the rock drilling tool 8 is removed from the slot 20. A mechanical tensioner 22 is arranged for adjusting the holding force. The tensioner 22 comprises a tensioning bolt 23 and a nut 24. The tensioning bolt 23 passes through the spring clamps 21 so that the holding force is adjustable by forcing the spring clamps 21 towards each other by screwing the nut 24.

[0044] In Figure 4 the drilling tool 8 is placed into the slot 8 and is held therein by means of spring clamps 21. Figure 5 illustrates how the drilling tool 8 can be inserted and removed from the slot 20. Figure 5 also shows by means of an arrow 25 adjustment movement of the spring clamps 21.

[0045] Figures 4 and 5 further disclose that the spring clamps 21 are connected to each other non-detachably and between the spring clamps 21 is a fastening portion 26 for mounting the drilling tool holder 14 to a supporting surface 27. The mounting may comprises screw mounting, for example. A basic structure of the tool holder 14 may thereby have a single piece configuration. Further, free end portions of the spring clamps 21 may be provided with curved end sections 28.

[0046] Figure 6 discloses a tool holder 14 which differs from the one shown in Figures 4 and 5 in that the tensioning bolt 23 passes through only one the spring clamp 21. Then the tensioning bolt 23 may be fastened to a side surface of another spring clamp by means of welding or gluing, for example.

[0047] Figure 7 discloses a tool holder 14 which differs from the ones shown in Figures 4 - 6 in that the tensioner 22 is configured to turn the spring clamps 21 relative to each other for adjusting the holding force. There are hinges 29 or corresponding joint sections for facilitating the turning movement.

[0048] Figure 8 discloses a tool holder 14 wherein spring clamps 21a, 21b are arranged to be movable in relation to each other linearly. Holding force can be adjusted by moving the spring clamps 21a, 21b and locking them to the adjusted place. Thus, the fastening system of the spring clamps 21, 21b can serve as a tensioner 22, or there may be spring elements, wedges or other machine elements for executing the adjustment movement. An enlargement 30 shows that there may be an elongated slot 31 for allowing the linear movement between the spring clamp 21b and a fastening surface 27. In this solution it is enough that only one sprig clamp 21b is adjusted, and further, in this solution both or only one of the spring clamps 21a, 21b has elastic configuration.

[0049] Figures 9 - 14 disclose some constructions of possible mechanical tensioners 22 and quick type nuts and mechanisms for adjusting holding forces generated by the drilling tool holders.

[0050] Figure 9 discloses a tensioner 22 comprising a quick release cam 32 provided with an eccentric tensioning surface 33 and having a locking position 34 and a release position 35 selectable by a turning position of the quick release cam 32 in relation to a tensioning bolt 23 passing through at least one of the spring clamps 21. The quick release cam 32 may be provided with screw threads for moving it in relation to the tensioning bolt 23 for adjusting the provided tensioning when being turned to the locking position 34. Thus, it is easy and quick to open the locking and to then execute the adjusting. After the adjusting measures the mechanism can be re-locked.

[0051] Figure 10 discloses a wing nut 36 and Figure 11 discloses a nut 24 provided with a transverse pin 37 for facilitating turning of the nut 24. Both nuts 24, 36 can be turned with bare hands so that adjusting tensioning is easy and quick. Also a nut 24 shown in Figure 12 allows tool-free operation since it comprises an arch element 38 which can be lifted up from a space 39 on a surface of the nut 24 when adjusting is needed.

[0052] Figures 13 and 14 shows a trailer clasp 40 seen from a side and top. The trailer clasp 40 is also a tensioner 22 that can be used to adjust holding force of a tool holder. There is a turnable latch 41 having a locking position 42 and a release position when being turned upwardly. There is also a loop element 43 with a screw so that distance between the loop element and the latch 41 can be adjusted in the release position. After the adjustment, the latch can be re-locked.

[0053] Figure 15 discloses a tool holder 14 wherein spring clamps 21 are located on a first side of a support surface 27 and where actuating arms 44 of the spring clamps 21 are located on a second side surface of the support surface 27. A tensioner 22 is arranged between the actuating arms 44. When the distance between the actuating arms 44 increases, distance between the spring clamps 21 decreases, and when the distance between the actuating arms 44 decreases, then distance between the spring clamps 21 increases.

[0054] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A drilling tool holder (14) comprising: two opposing clamps (19) between which is a slot (20) being able to accommodate a single rock drilling tool (8) ; and wherein the clamps are spring clamps (21) configured to generate holding force exerted on the rock drilling tool (8) in response to insertion of the rock drilling tool (8) into the slot (20); and wherein the spring clamps (21) are configured to give way against the holding force in response to removal of the rock drilling tool (8) from the slot (20); characterized in that the tool holder (14) comprises at least one mechanical tensioner (22) for adjusting the holding force.

2. The drilling tool holder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tensioner (22) comprises a tensioning bolt (23) and a nut (24); the tensioning bolt (23) passes through the spring clamps (21) and the holding force is adjustable by forcing the spring clamps (21) towards each other by screwing the nut (24).

3. The drilling tool holder as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the nut (24) is of quick type nut (36, 37, 38) provided with at least one protrusion for manual tool free screwing.

4. The drilling tool holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tensioner (22) comprises a quick release cam (32) provided with an eccentric tensioning surface (33) and having a locking position (34) and a release position (35) selectable by turning position of the quick release cam in relation to a tensioning bolt (23) passing through at least one of the spring clamps (21).

5. The drilling tool holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the spring clamps (21) is provided with an elastic structure.

6. The drilling tool holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring clamps (21) are connected to each other non-detachably and between the spring clamps (21) is a fastening portion (26) for mounting the drilling tool holder (14) .

7. The drilling tool holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that free end portions of the spring clamps (21) are provided with curved end sections (28).

8. An arrangement for storing drilling tools (8), wherein the arrangement is provided with at least one drilling tool holder (14) comprising two opposing spring clamps (21) between which is a slot (20) being able to accommodate a single rock drilling tool (8) and holding the drilling tool (8) inserted to the slot (20) by means of holding force generated by the spring clamps (21); characterized in that the tool holder (14) of the arrangement is in accordance with claims 1 - 7 and comprises at least one mechanical tensioner (22) for adjusting the holding force.

9. The arrangement as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the arrangement comprises at least two tool holders (14) arranged at a distance from each other and wherein the slots (20) of the tool holders (14) are aligned (18).

10. The arrangement as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the arrangement is part of a rock drilling unit (5) which is located at a free end portion of a drilling boom (4) .

11. The arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 8 - 10, characterized in that the arrangement is part of a drilling tool magazine (15) capable of storing a plurality of drilling tools (8).

12. A method of storing a rock drilling tool (8), wherein the method comprises: using at least one drilling tool holder (14) comprising two spring clamps (21); inserting a drilling tool (8) to a slot (20) between the spring clamps (21); holding the inserted drilling tool (8) inside the tool holder (14) by means of holding force generated by the spring clamps (21); and removing the drilling tool (8) from the slot (20) and allowing the spring clamps (21) to spread against the holding force during the removal; characterized by providing the tool holder (14) with at least one mechanical tensioner (22) and adjusting the holding force by means of the mechanical tensioner (22).

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