US3828943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drill rod handling apparatus
Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Co
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Filing: 1973-10-15
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-10-15
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus comprises means, for use with an earth drilling machine, effecting powered handling of drill rods for moving drill rods from an earth drilling machine to a horizontal storage position, and vice versa. The primary components of the apparatus comprise powered, parallel, double-linkage arms for moving drill rods, by means of gripping assemblies carried by the arms, in a vertical disposition, or in inclined dispositions: from vertical to 30* from horizontal, through an arc between a location alongside the machine, and a location within the machine (for alignment therein of the drill rod with a drill head or drill rod string). Included is an elevating, powered, tilt cradle having a platform for receiving a drill rod horizontally thereupon. The cradle has uprights set on one side thereof to prevent drill rods from sliding off the platform. Additionally, the cradle has a stop which abuts the lowermost portion of the drill rod to prevent axial displacement of the rod on the cradle. The stop also correctly positions the drill rod, longitudinally on the cradle, for a proper clasping of the drill rod by the gripping assemblies. Further, the cradle has a two-part, pin-type closure, webbed strap to aid in securing the cradle-borne rods.
Inventors
- 👤 K Simon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/14; E21B19/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Drill rod handling apparatus, for use with earth drilling machines, comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis; rotary actuator means coupled to said shaft for rotating said shaft on said axis; means for releasably gripping drill rods; and means coupling said gripping means to said shaft to cause said gripping means to rotate in common with said shaft; wherein said coupling means includes means for causing said gripping means to track an orbital path about said axis which has both a perigee and an apogee, to effect movement of said gripping means into greater and lesser proximity to said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Drill rod handling apparatus, for use with earth drilling machines, comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis; rotary actuator means coupled to said shaft for rotating said shaft on said axis; means for releasably gripping drill rods; and means coupling said gripping means to said shaft to cause said gripping means to rotate in common with said shaft; wherein said coupling means includes means for causing said gripping means to track an orbital path about said axis which has both a perigee and an apogee, to effect movement of said gripping means into greater and lesser proximity to said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said coupling means comprises primary arm means coupled at one end thereof to said shaft and extends radially therefrom, supporting an elongate beam at the other end thereof; and secondary arm means coupled at one end thereof to said beam, and extending radially therefrom, having said gripping means mounted to the other end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus, according to claim 2, further including: first journal means supporting said shaft for rotation; and wherein said coupling means further comprises second journal means supporting said beam for rotation, and means interconnecting said beam and said first journal means for causing rotation of said beam coincident with rotation of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein: said one end of said second arm means and said beam are integrally coupled together to prevent relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
An apparatus, according to claim 2, further including: first journal means supporting said shaft for rotation; and wherein said coupling means further comprises second journal means supporting said beam for rotation; and means interconnecting said beam and said first journal means for causing rotation of said beam coincident with rotation of said shaft; said one end of said second arm means and said beam are integrally coupled together to prevent relative rotation therebetween; wherein said beam has a rotary axis; and said integral coupling and said interconnecting means cooperate to cause said secondary arm means to move along an orbital path, relative to said rotary axis of said beam, in response to rotation of said beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus, according to claim 2, further including: first journal means supporting said shaft for rotation; and wherein said Coupling means further comprises second journal means supporting said beam for rotation; and means interconnecting said beam and said first journal means for causing rotation of said beam coincident with rotation of said shaft; said one end of said second arm means and said beam are integrally coupled together to prevent relative rotation therebetween; and wherein said integral coupling and said interconnecting means cooperate to cause said secondary arm means to slue through an arc which traverses an intermediate portion of said primary arm means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein: said interconnecting means comprises a sprocket integrally joined to said beam for rotation therewith and a chain having a section therein in engagement with a peripheral portion of said sprocket, said chain having two lengths of filamentary portion integral with said section which extend from said sprocket and are secured to said first journal means to prevent linear travel of said chain lengths or portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein: said chain defines an endless loop; said first journal means includes a second sprocket fixed against rotation; and a second section of said chain is engaged with a peripheral portion of said second sprocket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said gripping means comprises means for releasably gripping drill rod at a plurality of spaced-apart locations along said drill rods.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein: said primary arm means comprises a plurality of parallel arms; and said gripping means comprises a plurality of pairs of jaws or clamps; a pair of said jaws or clamps being mounted to each of said arms; and at least one of said jaws or clamps of each said pair is pivotally mounted to its respective arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus, according to claim 1, further including: bracket means coupled to said shaft for mounting said apparatus onto an earth drilling machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein: said first journal means comprises a pair of shaft journals; said shaft being supported at each axial end thereof by a journal of said pair; and said journals each have brackets integral therewith for mounting said apparatus to an earth drilling machine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus, according to claim 1, further including: means for supporting and moving a drill rod between horizontal and vertical dispositions thereof to retrieve drill rods from, and to advance drill rods to said gripping means, said drill rod supporting and moving means having an elongate platform; and said platform having means for restraining drill rods supported thereby from lateral displacement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus, according to claim 1, further including: means for supporting and moving a drill rod between horizontal and vertical dispositions thereof to retrieve drill rods from, and to advance drill rods to said gripping means; said drill rod supporting and moving means having an elongate platform; and said platform having means for restraining drill rods supported thereby from longitudinal displacement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
95 words
Drill rod handling apparatus, for use with earth drilling machines, comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis; means supporting said shaft for rotation about said axis; means for releasably gripping drill rods; and means coupling said gripping means to said shaft, to cause said gripping means to rotate in common with said shaft; wherein said coupling means includes means for causing said gripping means to track an orbital path about said axis which has both a perigee and an aporgee, to effect movement of said gripping means into greater and lesser proximity to said axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
Drill rod handling apparatus, for use with earth drilling machines, comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis; means supporting said shaft for rotation about said axis; means for releasably gripping drill rods; and means coupling said gripping means to said shaft, to cause said gripping means to rotate in common with said shaft; wherein said coupling means includes means for causing said gripping means to track an orbital path about said axis which has both a perigee and an aporgee, to effect movement of said gripping means into greater and lesser proximity to said axis.
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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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |