Patents by Inventor Matthew Arlen Mills
Matthew Arlen Mills has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8839885Abstract: A drill rod is disclosed. The drill rod includes a casing assembly defining a length that extends axially between a first end and an opposite second end of the drill rod, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the casing assembly. The drive shaft extends axially along the drill rod generally from the first end of the casing assembly to the second end of the casing assembly. The drill rod also includes latching pins at the first end of the drill rod and latching pin receivers at the second end of the drill rod. The drill rod further includes latches provided adjacent the latching pin receivers. The latches are movable between latching and non-latching positions. The latches move along an orientation of movement then the latches between the latching and non-latching positions. The drill rod may also include biasing structures that apply retention forces to the latches for retaining the latches in the non-latching position.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert Hoch Shuman, V, Douglas Eugene See, Jr., Stuart Harrison, Jeffrey James Utter, Matthew Arlen Mills
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Patent number: 8684470Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a drill head having a main body and a drive stem rotatably mounted within the main body. The main body defines a vacuum passage offset from the drive stem that extends through the main body from a proximal end to a distal end of the main body. The tunneling apparatus also includes an axial bearing structure for transferring axial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The axial bearing structure is proximally offset from the distal end of the main body of the drill head. The tunneling apparatus further includes a first radial bearing structure for transferring radial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The first radial bearing structure is positioned between the axial bearing structure and the distal end of the main body of the drill head and is distally offset from the axial bearing structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stuart Harrison, Andis Normunds Salins, Matthew Arlen Mills, Matthew Stephen Vos, Tod Jason Michael, Robert Hoch Shuman, V
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Patent number: 8439450Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stuart Harrison, Andis Normunds Salins, Matthew Arlen Mills, Melvin Nguyen
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Publication number: 20120181087Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a falling object protection system for use with a machine for forming underground bores and/or for installing product within underground bores. The falling object protection system includes a base forming a platform on which an operator can stand. The base includes an inner portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to the machine and an outer portion adapted to be positioned away from the machine. The falling object protection system also includes an outer barrier that extends upwardly from the outer portion of the base, and a top barrier that extends inwardly from the outer barrier and extends over the platform of the base. The falling object protection system further includes an upper frame that extends upwardly from an inner end portion of the top barrier. The upper frame includes a falling object deflection member spaced above the inner end portion of the top barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Janice Marquardt, Matthew Arlen Mills, Matthew Stephen Vos, Ivan Ray Brand, Jeffrey James Utter
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Publication number: 20110266062Abstract: A drill rod is disclosed. The drill rod includes a casing assembly defining a length that extends axially between a first end and an opposite second end of the drill rod, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the casing assembly. The drive shaft extends axially along the drill rod generally from the first end of the casing assembly to the second end of the casing assembly. The drill rod also includes latching pins at the first end of the drill rod and latching pin receivers at the second end of the drill rod. The drill rod further includes latches provided adjacent the latching pin receivers. The latches are movable between latching and non-latching positions. The latches move along an orientation of movement then the latches between the latching and non-latching positions. The drill rod may also include biasing structures that apply retention forces to the latches for retaining the latches in the non-latching position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Robert Hoch Shuman, V, Douglas Eugene See, JR., Stuart Ronald Harrison, Jeffrey James Utter, Matthew Arlen Mills
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Publication number: 20100230171Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a drill head having a main body and a drive stem rotatably mounted within the main body. The main body defines a vacuum passage offset from the drive stem that extends through the main body from a proximal end to a distal end of the main body. The tunneling apparatus also includes an axial bearing structure for transferring axial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The axial bearing structure is proximally offset from the distal end of the main body of the drill head. The tunneling apparatus further includes a first radial bearing structure for transferring radial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The first radial bearing structure is positioned between the axial bearing structure and the distal end of the main body of the drill head and is distally offset from the axial bearing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Stuart Harrison, Andis Normunos Salins, Matthew Arlen Mills, Matthew Stephen Vos, Tod Jason Michael, Robert Hoch Shuman, V
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Publication number: 20100206635Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Stuart Harrison, Andis Salins, Matthew Arlen Mills, Melvin Nguyen
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Patent number: 6814164Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the drive axis of the drive head.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Matthew Arlen Mills, Gregg Alan Austin, Steven C. Erickson
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Publication number: 20040007388Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the drive axis of the drive head.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Matthew Arlen Mills, Gregg Alan Austin, Steven C. Erickson
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Patent number: 6533046Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Matthew Arlen Mills, Gregg Alan Austin, Steven C. Erickson
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Publication number: 20020079137Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head including a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Matthew Arlen Mills, Gregg Alan Austin, Steven C. Erickson
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Patent number: 6332502Abstract: A magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head including a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Matthew Arlen Mills, Gregg Alan Austin, Steven C. Erickson