Patents by Inventor Craig M. Collins

Craig M. Collins 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).

  • Patent number: 7819609
    Abstract: A module is for use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked. Related aspects of control of the module and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7721816
    Abstract: This invention relates to the control of a machine for performing drilling or bolting operation, such as in an underground mine. In one aspect, the invention comprises a system including an input device for manually controlling at least one aspect of the drilling or bolting operation and a controller associated with at least one neutral switch. An actuator actuates the drilling or bolting operation and includes a valve associated with the input device and the neutral switch. The input device is operative for controlling the drilling or bolting operation only when the valve is in a neutral position according to the neutral switch. Related input devices and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins
  • Patent number: 7704018
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7600583
    Abstract: A module is for use in drilling a borehole in face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked. Related aspects of control of the module and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7438141
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7428936
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7428935
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7428937
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7407344
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: J. H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7381012
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab