SELF-DRILLING FRICTION BOLT

1 . A reinforcement system comprising:

an adapter;

a friction bolt;

a drilling rod coupled to the adapter, the drilling rod having a diameter that allows for introduction of the drilling rod into the friction bolt; and

a drill bit configured to drill an opening optimally sized for receiving the friction bolt.

2 . The reinforcement system of claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes first and second threaded portions and a neck that acts as a guide and impact element for installing the friction bolt.

3 . The reinforcement system of claim 2 , wherein the first threaded portion of the adapter is positioned at one end of the adapter and the second threaded portion is positioned at the other end of the adapter.

4 . The reinforcement system of claim 2 , wherein the drilling rod includes a threaded portion engaged with the second threaded portion of the adapter.

5 . The reinforcement system of claim 4 , wherein the adapter defines a central passageway along the entire length of the adapter to enable circulation of water or air from a drilling machine.

6 . The reinforcement system of claim 3 , wherein the friction bolt defines a passageway that receives a portion of the drilling rod.

7 . The reinforcement system of claim 2 , wherein the drilling rod is coupled to the drill bit.

8 . The reinforcement system of claim 2 , wherein the drill bit defines a polygonal-shaped recess and the drilling rod includes a polygonal-shaped projection, the polygonal-shaped recess of the drill bit is configured to receive the polygonal-shaped projection of the drilling rod.

9 . A method of installing a friction bolt comprising:

drilling a borehole using a drill bit coupled to a drilling rod, the drilling rod coupled to an adapter; and

installing a friction bolt simultaneously while drilling the borehole.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising removing the adapter and the drill rod from the friction bolt.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising leaving the drill bit in the borehole.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the friction bolt is installed by impacting the friction bolt while drilling the borehole.