Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
An earthdrilling apparatus of the type including a vehicle having an elongated mast pivotally carried for movement between a generally horizontal transporting position above the vehicle and a generally vertical drilling position adjacent one end of the vehicle, the mast having a carriage rectilinearly moveable therealong and having a rotary drilling head carried thereby, the improvement, in combination, comprising: a. said drilling head being connected to said carriage for lateral movement between a generally vertical pipe drilling axis and a parallel pipe transfer axis, b. a drill pipe storage means for storing a plurality of drill pipes in a generally horizontal position from which they may be elevated to vertical position, c. a movable boom carried by an upper portion of the mast having a depending first hoisting cable or the like, the lower end of which is adapted to be moved between a position above the rear end of a pipe disposed in the storage means, at which it may be detachably connected to a pipe therein, to an elevated position along the transfer axis at which it may be detached from the first hoisting cable and held thereat by temporary holding means, the rotary head adapted to be connected to the upper end of the pipe when it is moved to the transfer axis, and d. a second hoisting cable supported by the mast having a lower end moveable along the drilling axis, the lower end of which is adapted to be removeably connected to the upper end of the uppermost pipe of a pipe string disposed along the drilling axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
An earthdrilling apparatus of the type including a vehicle having an elongated mast pivotally carried for movement between a generally horizontal transporting position above the vehicle and a generally vertical drilling position adjacent one end of the vehicle, the mast having a carriage rectilinearly moveable therealong and having a rotary drilling head carried thereby, the improvement, in combination, comprising: a. said drilling head being connected to said carriage for lateral movement between a generally vertical pipe drilling axis and a parallel pipe transfer axis, b. a drill pipe storage means for storing a plurality of drill pipes in a generally horizontal position from which they may be elevated to vertical position, c. a movable boom carried by an upper portion of the mast having a depending first hoisting cable or the like, the lower end of which is adapted to be moved between a position above the rear end of a pipe disposed in the storage means, at which it may be detachably connected to a pipe therein, to an elevated position along the transfer axis at which it may be detached from the first hoisting cable and held thereat by temporary holding means, the rotary head adapted to be connected to the upper end of the pipe when it is moved to the transfer axis, and d. a second hoisting cable supported by the mast having a lower end moveable along the drilling axis, the lower end of which is adapted to be removeably connected to the upper end of the uppermost pipe of a pipe string disposed along the drilling axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for holding the pipe string against retrograde movement into the drilled hole when the uppermost pipe is detached therefrom and the lower end of the uppermost pipe is guided into the storage means for redeposit therein as the second hoisting cable is lowered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the temporary holding means comprises a pipe support carried by the vehicle for receiving and supporting a pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moveable boom is mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carriage is so constructed to form a space which may be occupied by at least a portion of the drilling head when it is disposed in drilling position, said space, when the drilling head is disposed laterally of drilling position, permitting a portion of said second hoisting cable, or a portion of drill pipe, to occupy a portion of said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means carried by the lower end of said first hoisting cable adapted to be connected to a pipe disposed in the storage means and detached therefrom when the pipe has been removed from the storage means and transferred to its vertical position for connection to the drilling head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mast is disposed adjacent the rear end of the vehicle, an operator''s platform affixed to the vehicle and disposed rearwardly of and below the lower end of the mast, and controls accessible to the operator, while on the platform, for controlling the operation of the power operated instrumentalities associated with the pipe handling and drilling devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drilling head is pivotally connected to the carriage for movement between said axes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 including means for detachably locking the drilling head to the carriage when the drilling head is disposed on the drilling axis.