Abstract: An over-bit backreamer. The backreamer is configured to be placed over a bit without detaching the bit from a drill string associated with a pilot bore. The backreamer has an internal surface that conforms to a steering surface of the bit. Rotation is transferred from the bit to the backreamer at the internal surface. The backreamer further defines a flange which interacts with a feature, such as a heel, on the bit. The flange and heel form a shoulder which transfers pullback force to the bit. The backreamer comprises a pullback eye that pulls a product pipe back through the borehole.

Abstract: A retractable auger boring cutter head. The cutter head has fixed cutters and at least one pivoting cutter. The pivoting cutter is biased to a position that extends beyond a diameter of a casing being installed. When pulled back through the casing, a surface of the pivoting cutter contacts the casing, reducing the effective diameter of the cutter head and allowing it to be removed.

Abstract: An over-bit backreamer. The backreamer is configured to be placed over a bit without detaching the bit from a drill string associated with a pilot bore. The backreamer has an internal surface that conforms to a steering surface of the bit. Rotation is transferred from the bit to the backreamer at the internal surface. The backreamer further defines a flange which interacts with a feature, such as a heel, on the bit. The flange and heel form a shoulder which transfers pullback force to the bit. The backreamer comprises a pullback eye that pulls a product pipe back through the borehole.

Abstract: An over-bit backreamer. The backreamer is configured to be placed over a bit without detaching the hit from a drill string associated with a pilot bore. The backreamer has an internal surface that conforms to a steering surface of the hit. Rotation is transferred from the bit to the backreamer at the internal surface. The backreamer further defines a flange which interacts with a feature, such as a heel, on the bit. The flange and heel form a shoulder which transfers pullback force to the bit. The backreamer comprises a pullback eye that pulls a product pipe back through the borehole.

Abstract: A retractable auger boring cutter head. The cutter head has fixed cutters and at least one pivoting cutter. The pivoting cutter is biased to a position that extends beyond a diameter of a casing being installed. When pulled back through the casing, a surface of the pivoting cutter contacts the casing, reducing the effective diameter of the cutter head and allowing it to be removed.

Abstract: An over-bit backreamer. The backreamer is configured to be placed over a bit without detaching the hit from a drill string associated with a pilot bore. The backreamer has an internal surface that conforms to a steering surface of the hit. Rotation is transferred from the bit to the backreamer at the internal surface. The backreamer further defines a flange which interacts with a feature, such as a heel, on the bit. The flange and heel form a shoulder which transfers pullback force to the bit. The backreamer comprises a pullback eye that pulls a product pipe back through the borehole.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in horizontal directional drilling. In a preferred embodiment the drill bit has a connector section having a first axis of rotation. The connector section is used to connect the drill bit to a beacon housing for thrust and rotation therewith. A bit body is disposed next to the connector section and slopes from the connector section to a front nose section. The front nose section has a frontwardly facing surface that supports a plurality of cutting teeth. The front nose section and the bit body comprise a second axis of rotation about which the front nose section and the bit body are rotated. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are angularly offset at an offset angle of between four degrees and ten degrees.

Abstract: An assembly for housing a beacon comprising a number of tools for tracking and locating a drill bit. The assembly is for use as part of a drill string for horizontal directional drilling applications. The housing allows the beacon to be loaded at an end, and provides a side window at an opposite end for viewing the orientation of the beacon within the housing. The housing comprises a locating tab for pairing with a locating slot of the beacon to provide proper orientation. The window has a removable cover to secure the beacon when the access window is not needed for inspection of the beacon.

Abstract: An offset rock bit (12) has a steering face (28) and a shoe (30) provided by a recess formed into the steering face (28). A slot (66) formed into the shoe (30) for receiving a pull back adapter (50) in a centrally located position in the forward end of the offset rock bit (12). The pull back 5 adapter (50) has a pull back eye (52) with a central axis (62) which is aligned with a centrally disposed longitudinal axis (20) of the offset rock bit (12) and the tool string (10). This aligns the pull back eye (52) of the pull back adapter (50) with a borehole formed using the offset rock bit (12). The pull back adapter (50) also includes side edges (54, 56) which are configured for centering the pull back adapter (50) and pull back conduit within the borehole.

Abstract: An offset rock bit (12) has a steering face (28) and a shoe (30) provided by a recess formed into the steering face (28). A slot (66) formed into the shoe (30) for receiving a pull back adapter (50) in a centrally located position in the forward end of the offset rock bit (12). The pull back 5 adapter (50) has a pull back eye (52) with a central axis (62) which is aligned with a centrally disposed longitudinal axis (20) of the offset rock bit (12) and the tool string (10). This aligns the pull back eye (52) of the pull back adapter (50) with a borehole formed using the offset rock bit (12). The pull back adapter (50) also includes side edges (54, 56) which are configured for centering the pull back adapter (50) and pull back conduit within the borehole.

Abstract: An offset rock bit (12) has a steering face (28) and a shoe (30) provided by a recess formed into the steering face (28). A slot (66) formed into the shoe (30) for receiving a pull back adapter (50) in a centrally located position in the forward end of the offset rock bit (12). The pull back adapter (50) has a pull back eye (52) with a central axis (62) which is aligned with a centrally disposed longitudinal axis (20) of the offset rock bit (12) and the tool string (10). This aligns the pull back eye (52) of the pull back adapter (50) with a borehole formed using the offset rock bit (12). The pull back adapter (50) also includes side edges (54, 56) which are configured for centering the pull back adapter (50) and pull back conduit within the borehole.

Abstract: A plate for supporting one or more sheets of originals to be copied and a sheet of sensitized media is supported so as to minimize sag in one direction across the plate. The plate may be inclined with the top and bottom edges of the plate entirely supported or only supported at location(s) spaced inwardly from the edge of the plate. When a cover, such as a flexible curtain, is mechanically pressed against the plate, as by a roller, air gaps between the originals and sensitized media are minimized due to this plate support system. This improves the speed at which high quality prints can be obtained.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus (10) comprises an elongate table (12) with a presser carriage (14) supported for movement along the table. The carriage (14) supports a roller (116) for embedding fastener plates into precut truss members positioned on the table (12). Two clamping assemblies (40) are mounted on the table (12) to define a pair of truss assembly zones and an intermediate truss transfer zone. Each clamping mechanism (40) is selectively actuated to effect positive clamping engagement of the precut truss members or semi-complete truss positioned therein. A plurality of lift means (80, 100) are mounted in the table (12) for facilitating advancement of the truss during assembly.