Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle, an axle mount configured to be attached to the axle, a positional locater that projects from an outer surface of the axle and is configured to locate an initial position of the axle relative to the axle mount, and an axle adjustment device comprising an inclined surface that contacts the positional locater. A compressive force is exerted between the axle mount and the axle adjustment device when the axle adjustment device is placed in contact with the positional locater to maintain the initial position of the axle.

Abstract: An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure.

Abstract: A removable axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes an axle mounting structure configured to be removably attached to an axle mount. The axle mounting structure includes an inner surface that is aligned with a tapered surface of the axle mount. One or more fastening devices are attached to a clamping structure. In response to securing the one or more fastening devices, the clamping structure is configured to exert a compression force that maintains contact between the tapered surface of the frame support structure and the inner surface of the axle mounting structure.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.

Abstract: A low-profile roller assembly reduces an overall mounting height of walking machines enabling use in a wider variety of structures and locations while also reducing complexity and over cost. The low-profile roller assembly may include a roller device with a substantially flat roller cage with one or more slots configured to hold a single layer of rollers. The roller device may move longitudinally relative to a support foot and a load plate may move longitudinally relative to both the support foot and the roller device. The load plate may laterally displace relative to a longitudinal axis of the support foot or may laterally displace relative to longitudinal axes of both the support foot and the roller device.

Abstract: A pony substructure, for use in supporting substructures of drilling rig operations, which includes two parallel oriented frames and two outriggers attached to each frame. In preparation for transportation to and from drilling rig operations, the outriggers are adapted to rotate about a plurality of pivot points, which then enables each outrigger to fold over the top of each corresponding platform.

Abstract: A multi-axle assembly includes an axle frame configured to move in a first travel configuration, a first axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a first axle, and a second axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a second axle. A common axis of rotation passes through both the first axle and the second axle in the first travel configuration. A first axle mount that operably couples the first axle assembly to the axle frame, and a second axle mount that operably couples the second axle assembly to the axle frame. Both the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly may be repositioned to a second travel configuration in which the first axle and the second axle are rotationally offset from the common axis of rotation.

Abstract: A load transporting apparatus includes a base structure that supports a load and a plurality of transport devices that move the base structure over a base surface. A first group of transport devices concurrently contact the base surface during a first movement step. Following the first movement step the first group of transport devices are disengaged from the base structure during a second movement step of the base structure. A second group of transport devices are disengaged from the base surface during the first movement step. Following the first movement step the second group of transport devices contact the base surface during the second movement step, and the weight of the load supported by the first group of transport devices is transferred from the first group of transport devices to the second group of transport devices.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle, an axle mount configured to be attached to the axle, a positional locater that projects from an outer surface of the axle and is configured to locate an initial position of the axle relative to the axle mount, and an axle adjustment device comprising an inclined surface that contacts the positional locater. A compressive force is exerted between the axle mount and the axle adjustment device when the axle adjustment device is placed in contact with the positional locater to maintain the initial position of the axle.

Abstract: A removable axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes an axle mounting structure configured to be removably attached to an axle mount. The axle mounting structure includes an inner surface that is aligned with a tapered surface of the axle mount. One or more fastening devices are attached to a clamping structure. In response to securing the one or more fastening devices, the clamping structure is configured to exert a compression force that maintains contact between the tapered surface of the frame support structure and the inner surface of the axle mounting structure.

Abstract: An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure.

Abstract: A pony substructure, for use in supporting substructures of drilling rig operations, which includes two parallel oriented frames and two outriggers attached to each frame. In preparation for transportation to and from drilling rig operations, the outriggers are adapted to rotate about a plurality of pivot points, which then enables each outrigger to fold over the top of each corresponding platform.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.

Abstract: A load transporting apparatus includes a base structure that supports a load and a plurality of transport devices that move the base structure over a base surface. A first group of transport devices concurrently contact the base surface during a first movement step. Following the first movement step the first group of transport devices are disengaged from the base structure during a second movement step of the base structure. A second group of transport devices are disengaged from the base surface during the first movement step. Following the first movement step the second group of transport devices contact the base surface during the second movement step, and the weight of the load supported by the first group of transport devices is transferred from the first group of transport devices to the second group of transport devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.