US3650339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slant hole drilling rig
Assignee: PYRAMID DERRICK AND EQUIPMENT CO
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Filing: 1969-09-15
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1989-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A drilling mast is mounted on a support means which is pivotally mounted in an arcuate well formed in a drilling rig base structure whereby the mast may be tilted. A vertical selfsupporting setback tower is mounted on the base structure adjacent the well for racking lengths of drill pipe. An adjustable strut or tie member extends between the drilling mast and the setback tower for maintaining the drilling mast at a desired angle of inclination. A catwalk structure is pivotally connected to the drilling mast and movably coupled to an upper portion of the setback tower so that it will always be horizontal, regardless of the angle of the drilling mast relative to the tower. A pipe pullback mechanism is supported for movement between the drilling mast and tower for use in transferring drill pipe back and forth between the drilling mast and the setback tower.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J Selfe
- 👤 Donald L Bleyl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/14; E21B15/00; E21B15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A slant hole drilling rig for drilling boreholes into the earth comprising: a. a base structure; b. an arcuate well formed in the base structure; c. a setback tower mounted on the base structure adjacent the well in said base structure and including pipe rack means for racking lengths of pipe; d. support means pivotally mounted in the well; e. a drilling mast mounted on said support means whereby said mast may be tilted relative to said tower; f. catwalk means pivotally coupled to the drilling mast and slidably coupled to said tower; and g. pipe pullback means movable between said tower and drilling mast for moving pipe between said mast and tower.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A slant hole drilling rig for drilling boreholes into the earth comprising: a. a base structure; b. an arcuate well formed in the base structure; c. a setback tower mounted on the base structure adjacent the well in said base structure and including pipe rack means for racking lengths of pipe; d. support means pivotally mounted in the well; e. a drilling mast mounted on said support means whereby said mast may be tilted relative to said tower; f. catwalk means pivotally coupled to the drilling mast and slidably coupled to said tower; and g. pipe pullback means movable between said tower and drilling mast for moving pipe between said mast and tower.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said pipe pullback means is movably supported by said catwalk means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the setback tower is located in line with the direction of pivoting of the drilling mast and the rig includes strut means adjustably coupled between the drilling mast and the setback tower for maintaining the drilling mast in a desired inclined position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the catwalk means includes only a single walkway extending between the drilling mast and the setback tower, such walkway being located on one side of the path followed by the pipe when transferred from the drilling mast to the pipe rack means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pipe pullback means includes pipe grabbing means for grabbing the upper portion of a length of pipe situated within the drilling mast.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the catwalk means includes a walkway structure extending between the drilling mast and the setback tower and located on oNe side of the path followed by the pipe when transferred from the drilling mast to the pipe rack means and wherein the pipe pullback means is movably supported by the walkway structure and includes pipe grabbing means which extends into the pipe transfer path for grabbing the upper portion of a length of pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein a rotary table is supported on said support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein a mouse hole pipe is pivotally coupled to said support means and extending downwardly therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 and including a rat hole pipe for storing a drilling kelly when not in use and gimbal means for coupling the rat hole pipe to said support means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 and including a hydraulic pipe positioner carried by the drilling mast near the longitudinal midpoint thereof and operable for centering the drilling kelly within the mast structure when a new length of drill pipe is being added to the drill string during the drilling of the borehole.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the setback tower includes means for adjusting the elevation of the setback tower end of the catwalk means for maintaining the catwalk means in a horizontal position when the angle of inclination of the drilling mast is changed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 11 wherein the means for adjusting the elevation of the setback tower end of the catwalk means includes a pipe rack frame structure adapted for vertical movement with respect to the setback tower structure, locking means for locking the pipe rack frame structure to the setback tower structure at different elevations and hanger means attached to the pipe rack frame structure for slidably supporting the setback tower end of the catwalk means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pipe pullback means includes track means extending most of the length of the catwalk means and secured thereto, a dolly movably supported by such track means, driving means for moving the dolly along the track means and pipe grabbing means coupled to the dolly and extending therefrom for grabbing the upper portion of a length of pipe situated within the drilling mast.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 13 wherein the driving means includes roller means located near the two extremities of the track means, cable means looped over the roller means and attached to the forward and rearward ends of the dolly and motor means for driving one of the roller means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the setback tower is of a self-supporting construction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 15 wherein the setback tower includes four spaced apart vertically extending frame members which are secured to the base structure at four different locations thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 wherein the well in said base structure includes a cylindrical socket structure and the drilling mast includes a cylindrical bottom structure seated in the socket structure for enabling the mast to be tilted at different angles with respect to a vertical axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 17 wherein the rig includes a ram mechanism coupled between the base structure and the drilling mast for positioning the drilling mast at different inclined positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 1 and including a hydraulic pipe positioner supported near the lower end of the drilling mast and operable for moving the lower end of a disconnected length of pipe out of the drilling mast and toward the setback tower.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
A slant hole drilling rig in accordance with claim 19 wherein the hydraulic pipe positioner includes a pipe ejector arm pivotally coupled to the drilling mast struCture on the side farthest removed from the setback tower and a hydraulic ram mechanism coupled between the drilling mast structure and the pipe ejector arm and operable for moving a free end of such arm away from the drilling mast structure and toward the setback tower.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
A slant hole drilling rig for drilling boreholes into the earth comprising: a. a base structure; b. a support base pivotally mounted on the base structure; c. a drilling mast pivotally mounted on the support base; d. a setback tower mounted on the base structure adjacent the support base and including pipe rack means for racking lengths of pipe; e. a rat hole pipe for storing a drilling kelly; and f. gimbal means for coupling the upper end of the rat hole pipe to the support base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
A slant hole drilling rig for drilling boreholes into the earth comprising: a. a base structure; b. a support base pivotally mounted on the base structure; c. a drilling mast pivotally mounted on the support base; d. a setback tower mounted on the base structure adjacent the support base and including pipe rack means for racking lengths of pipe; e. a rat hole pipe for storing a drilling kelly; and f. gimbal means for coupling the upper end of the rat hole pipe to the support base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |