Abstract: A drill rod apparatus for quick rotary deep drilling has its drill pipes connected by flexible joints so that the rotation of a nut relative to a housing of each joint permits separation of the pipe ends connected thereby and the arrays of interengageable claws. The housing is connected to one of the pipes by a ball and socket joint so that with such separation, while a seal is maintained between the interiors of the two pipes, one pipe can be angularly offset from the other by substantially as much as 30.degree..

Abstract: A rotary drilling apparatus is disclosed, in which the pipe string is both lifted and lowered, as well as rotated, by an opposed pair of endless chains, eliminating the need for a high drilling tower structure. An advantageous form of gripping mechanism, attached to the chain links, enables the pipe string to be gripped with extremely heavy force, with the gripping means automatically confirming to pipe diameters of a variety of sizes and also conforming to the pipe coupling elements, as well as to the pipe areas inbetween, so that manipulation of the pipe string can be continuous. The gripping assembly includes a plurality of articulated gripping elements supported at each end by pivoted support arms. This assembly is urged against the pipe string by high pressure, hydraulic pistons.