US3757876A — Drilling and belling apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 370 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then belling out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame, the lower end of said frame forming a drilling bucket bottom; said frame having at least two exterior recesses formed in circumferentially spaced positions thereon and extending a substantial distance lengthwise of said frame; at least two elongated belling blades, said belling blades being normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means provided at the upper end of each of said recesses for pivotally supporting the upper end of the associated belling blade, whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; operating means coupled between said frame and said belling blades for selectively extending said blades in unison; and an elongated member disposed within and longitudinally movable relative to said frame, and coupled to said operating means for extending said blades when said elongated member is pulled upward; the intended mode of operation being such that said frame is first driven down and rotated with said blades in their normal position for drilling the hole by means of the drilling bucket bottom, then the downward movement of said drame is stopped and said elongated member is pulled upward while Said frame is rotated in order to accomplish the belling operation by means of said belling blades; wherein said frame includes a generally tubular outer shell in which said recesses are formed, a tubular drill stem concentrically disposed within and spaced away from said outer shell, and means at the upper end of said frame supporting said drill stem and said outer shell in fixed relationship to each other; and wherein said operating means includes a carriage disposed between said drill stem and said outer shell and normally positioned near the lower end of said frame, and a plurality of arms having their inner ends pivotally coupled to said carriage and their outer ends pivotally coupled to respective ones of said belling blades; said carriage being selectively movable upward relative to said frame and said elongated member being connected to said carriage for selectively raising the same.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 370 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then belling out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame, the lower end of said frame forming a drilling bucket bottom; said frame having at least two exterior recesses formed in circumferentially spaced positions thereon and extending a substantial distance lengthwise of said frame; at least two elongated belling blades, said belling blades being normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means provided at the upper end of each of said recesses for pivotally supporting the upper end of the associated belling blade, whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; operating means coupled between said frame and said belling blades for selectively extending said blades in unison; and an elongated member disposed within and longitudinally movable relative to said frame, and coupled to said operating means for extending said blades when said elongated member is pulled upward; the intended mode of operation being such that said frame is first driven down and rotated with said blades in their normal position for drilling the hole by means of the drilling bucket bottom, then the downward movement of said drame is stopped and said elongated member is pulled upward while Said frame is rotated in order to accomplish the belling operation by means of said belling blades; wherein said frame includes a generally tubular outer shell in which said recesses are formed, a tubular drill stem concentrically disposed within and spaced away from said outer shell, and means at the upper end of said frame supporting said drill stem and said outer shell in fixed relationship to each other; and wherein said operating means includes a carriage disposed between said drill stem and said outer shell and normally positioned near the lower end of said frame, and a plurality of arms having their inner ends pivotally coupled to said carriage and their outer ends pivotally coupled to respective ones of said belling blades; said carriage being selectively movable upward relative to said frame and said elongated member being connected to said carriage for selectively raising the same.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 106 words

A combination drilling and belling tool as claimed in claim 1 which further includes first and second auxiliary pipes, of smaller diameter than said drill stem, and attached to the exterior surface of said drill stem in diametrically opposed portions thereon, said drill stem and auxiliary pipes extending to the upper end of said frame, one of said auxiliary pipes housing said elongated member and extending only a short distance down the length of said frame, the other of said auxiliary pipes being adapted for supply of a pressurized fluid to the hole and extending below the carriage when the carriage is in its lowermost position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 117 words

The combination drilling and belling tool claimed in claim 1 wherein said carriage encircles said drill stem, and which further includes two pairs of rollers attached to the upper and lower ends of said carriage, respectively, and which rollingly support said carriage upon said drill stem; the inner ends of said operating arms being laterally displaced from the longitudinal axis of said carriage whereby the raising of said carriage tends to produce a counter-torque for rotating said carriage; and which further includes means providing a sliding lock between the outer surface of said carriage and the inner wall of said shell, whereby said carriage may slide up and down within said shell but its rotation is prevented.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 54 words

A combination drilling and belling tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carriage encircles said drill stem, and which further includes roller means supporting said carriage upon said drill stem, said drill stem acting both as a track for said carriage and as a conduit for removal of drilling chips from the hole.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

A combination drilling and belling tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein said drill stem extends to the lower end of said frame.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 288 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then belling out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame, the lower end of said frame forming a drilling bucket bottom; said frame having at least two exterior recesses formed in circumferentially spaced positions thereon and extending a substantial distance lengthwise of said frame; at least two elongated belling blades, said belling blades being normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means provided at the upper end of each of said recesses for pivotally supporting the upper end of the associated belling blade, whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; operating means coupled between said frame and said belling blades for selectively extending said blades in unison; and an elongatd member disposed within and longitudinally movable relative to said frame, and coupled to said operating means for extending said blades when said elongated member is pulled upward; the intended mode of operation being such that said frame is first driven down and rotated with said blades in their normal position for drilling the hole by means of the drilling bucket bottom, then the downward movement of said frame is stopped and said elongated member is pulled upward while said frame is rotated in order to accomplish the belling operation by means of said belling blades; wherein said drilling bucket bottom is provided with blades having cutting edges adapted to cut in one predetermined direction of rotation of said frame, and said belling blades are provided with longitudinal cutting edges which are adapted to cut in the opposite direction of rotation of said frame.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 288 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then belling out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame, the lower end of said frame forming a drilling bucket bottom; said frame having at least two exterior recesses formed in circumferentially spaced positions thereon and extending a substantial distance lengthwise of said frame; at least two elongated belling blades, said belling blades being normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means provided at the upper end of each of said recesses for pivotally supporting the upper end of the associated belling blade, whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; operating means coupled between said frame and said belling blades for selectively extending said blades in unison; and an elongatd member disposed within and longitudinally movable relative to said frame, and coupled to said operating means for extending said blades when said elongated member is pulled upward; the intended mode of operation being such that said frame is first driven down and rotated with said blades in their normal position for drilling the hole by means of the drilling bucket bottom, then the downward movement of said frame is stopped and said elongated member is pulled upward while said frame is rotated in order to accomplish the belling operation by means of said belling blades; wherein said drilling bucket bottom is provided with blades having cutting edges adapted to cut in one predetermined direction of rotation of said frame, and said belling blades are provided with longitudinal cutting edges which are adapted to cut in the opposite direction of rotation of said frame.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

A combination drilling and belling tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cutting edge of each of said belling blades has a generally wedge shaped cross-section, thereby directing drilling chips towards the center of the drill hole.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 335 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then belling out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame, the lower end of said frame forming a drilling bucket bottom; said frame having at least two exterior recesses formed in circumferentially spaced positions thereon and extending a substantial distance lengthwise of said frame; at least two elongated belling blades, said belling blades being normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means provided at the upper end of each of said recesses for pivotally supporting the upper end of the associated belling blade, whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; operating means coupled between said frame and said belling blades for selectively extending said blades in unison; and an elongated member disposed within and longitudinally movable relative to said frame, and coupled to said operating means for extending said blades when said elongated member is pulled upward; the intended mode of operation being such that said frame is first driven down and rotated with said blades in their normal position for drilling the hole by means of the drilling bucket bottom, then the downward movement of said frame is stopped and said elongated member is pulled upward while said frame is rotated in order to accomplish the belling operation by means of said belling blades; wherein aid operating means includes a carriage disposed within said frame and adapted for vertical reciprocation therein, and a plurality of arms having their inner ends pivotally coupled to said carriage and their outer ends pivotally coupled to respective ones of said belling baldes, said elogated member being coupled to said carriage for selectively raising the same; and wherein the inner end of each of said operating arms extends beside and beyond the longitudinal axis of said carriage, and is pivotally coupled to said carriage on the side therefrom opposite the respectively associated belling blade.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 335 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then belling out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame, the lower end of said frame forming a drilling bucket bottom; said frame having at least two exterior recesses formed in circumferentially spaced positions thereon and extending a substantial distance lengthwise of said frame; at least two elongated belling blades, said belling blades being normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means provided at the upper end of each of said recesses for pivotally supporting the upper end of the associated belling blade, whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; operating means coupled between said frame and said belling blades for selectively extending said blades in unison; and an elongated member disposed within and longitudinally movable relative to said frame, and coupled to said operating means for extending said blades when said elongated member is pulled upward; the intended mode of operation being such that said frame is first driven down and rotated with said blades in their normal position for drilling the hole by means of the drilling bucket bottom, then the downward movement of said frame is stopped and said elongated member is pulled upward while said frame is rotated in order to accomplish the belling operation by means of said belling blades; wherein aid operating means includes a carriage disposed within said frame and adapted for vertical reciprocation therein, and a plurality of arms having their inner ends pivotally coupled to said carriage and their outer ends pivotally coupled to respective ones of said belling baldes, said elogated member being coupled to said carriage for selectively raising the same; and wherein the inner end of each of said operating arms extends beside and beyond the longitudinal axis of said carriage, and is pivotally coupled to said carriage on the side therefrom opposite the respectively associated belling blade.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 207 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then billing out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame having a lower end forming a drilling bucket bottom, and having at least two exterior recesses formed therein; at least two elongated belling blades normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means pivotally attaching the upper end of each of said belling blades to said frame whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; a tubular drill stem concentrically supported within said frame and extending to the lower end thereof, thus providing a channel for continuous fluid circulation so as to remove chips from the hole during both drilling and belling operations; and operating means for selectively extending said blades in unison, including a carriage disposed about said drill stem and a plurality of arms having their inner ends pivotally coupled to said carriage and their outer ends pivotally coupled to respective Ones of said belling blades; said operating means further including an elongated member coupled to said carriage and extending above said carriage beside said drill stem for selectively raising said carriage.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 207 words

A combination drilling and belling tool for drilling an underground hole and then billing out a portion of the hole into a conical configuration on a single pass comprising: a generally cylindrical frame having a lower end forming a drilling bucket bottom, and having at least two exterior recesses formed therein; at least two elongated belling blades normally received in respective ones of said recesses; means pivotally attaching the upper end of each of said belling blades to said frame whereby the lower end of each belling blade is movable in an arcuate path away from said frame; a tubular drill stem concentrically supported within said frame and extending to the lower end thereof, thus providing a channel for continuous fluid circulation so as to remove chips from the hole during both drilling and belling operations; and operating means for selectively extending said blades in unison, including a carriage disposed about said drill stem and a plurality of arms having their inner ends pivotally coupled to said carriage and their outer ends pivotally coupled to respective Ones of said belling blades; said operating means further including an elongated member coupled to said carriage and extending above said carriage beside said drill stem for selectively raising said carriage.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-09-10	1977-03-12	1977-09-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-09-10	1981-03-12	1981-09-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-09-10	1985-03-12	1985-09-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Drilling and belling apparatus

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