Patents by Inventor Norman H. Still

Norman H. Still 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).

  • Underground drilling and casing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4179001
    Abstract: In an underground mine, a machine for drilling upwardly is placed in one tunnel of the mine and is used to drill a vertical shaft communicating with another tunnel at a higher elevation. The machine is operated so as to install a liner or casing in the shaft in a step-by-step fashion, substantially concurrently with the corresponding steps of the drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Inventors: Norman H. Still, Robert W. Berry, Jr.
  • Collapsible spider for use in supporting casing during upward drilling operations
    Patent number: 4133398
    Abstract: During upward drilling operations the casing for the hole is, at times, supported from the drill stem from which the cutterhead is operatively driven. A collapsible spider is placed about the drill stem and supported therefrom, and has extension arms which, during one operating condition, pass underneath the lower end of the casing for providing it with vertical support, and in another operating condition are pivotally folded upwardly so that the casing may be moved vertically past both the spider and its associated drill stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman H. Still
  • Ski-type stabilizer for drilling apparatus, and method of use
    Patent number: 4098544
    Abstract: Apparatus for aligning, supporting and stabilizing a drill string within a hole that is being drilled includes three elongated ski-like members which are disposed in circumferentially spaced positions about the drill string and in supporting engagement with the hole wall. Rotating bearing structures carried by the drill string are secured to the interior side of the ski-like members. The ski-like members are made in a number of longitudinal sections that are removably fastened together.According to the disclosed method, as the drill string is being extended and driven into the hole the ski-like members are assembled a section at a time and in such manner as not to interfere with the extension of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman H. Still, Robert W. Berry
  • Collapsible cutterhead for drilling upward
    Patent number: 4083416
    Abstract: A cutterhead adapted for drilling a hole upwardly in the earth, and to then be withdrawn downwardly through a casing which is inserted underneath the cutterhead, characterized by gauge cutters which are pivotally mounted on the cutterhead so that they will pivot upward and radially inward when the cutterhead is drawn into the casing, and also characterized by stabilizer rollers mounted on removable frames that can be detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman H. Still, Robert W. Berry, Jr.