Abstract: An excavation apparatus especially useful when mounted on backhoes and other lighter vehicles used in the construction industry. The excavation apparatus does not require a winch for letting out and retracting its cable nor a reel for storing retracted cable which reduces the weight of the excavation apparatus, lowers its cost while facilitating both operation and servicing. The apparatus has a kelly assembly housing which houses an outer kelly section, and an extendable innermost kelly section adaptable for attachment of a tool. More than one extendable kelly section can be used. A rotary table rotates the kelly sections. A support structure supports the rotary table and the housing. A frame allows the housing to slide relative to the frame in a direction parallel to the axis of the assembly. A downcrowd mechanism, supported by the frame, downcrowds the support structure relative to the frame.

Abstract: A rock drill includes a mounting frame to which a hammering apparatus and a rotating apparatus is arranged. The mounting frame is made maneuverable with respect to a feeding beam by means of slide blocks fastened to it, whereby a separate carriage is not needed between the drill and the feeding beam. Owing to the mounting frame, the hammering apparatus and/or the rotating apparatus can be replaceable modules. The invention further relates to a mounting frame which is arranged to transmit the feed and recoil forces directed to the drill to feeding means. The mounting frame comprises a section parallel to the feeding beam, to which slide blocks are fastened, and a transverse axial support thereto, to which the hammering apparatus and the rotating apparatus are mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and removing a flexible first material into a second material (20) includes a moveable carriage (22). An adjustable clamp (24) is connected to the moveable carriage (22), adjustable between an open position and a clamped position on the first flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, a receiver stiffener casing (26) is configured to receive and support the flexible first material as the flexible first material is inserted into and removed from the second material.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable drilling rig having a support tower. A drilling engine, mounted within a cradle, and a lift winch are attached to the support tower. A stabilizer bar is attached to the lower end of the support tower to prevent swaying of the support tower. The engine transfers torque to the transmission mounted below the engine, to which a steel swivel, housing a quill, allows passage of air and/or water to a drill steel to provide rotary force to power a drill bit. A pull-down system, preferably a weighted bar, is attached to the lower end of the support tower and to the drilling engine to pull the drilling ending downwardly. Manual transport is provided by means of a main base wheel dolly system for easy one-man mobilization. A counterweight is attached to the lower end of the support tower to prevent the support tower from being lifted as the pull-down system forces the drilling bit into the ground.

Abstract: A machine for driving posts, drills, large spikes, and the like work pieces into the ground, pavements, or wall structures. The machine comprises an elongated tower, a carriage, a hammer, a combination of an elongated two-way cylinder and a pulley system, at least one control valve box, a plurality of hydraulic pressurized lines, a plurality of hydraulic conduits, and a plurality of fasteners. The tower has two parallel rails for the hammer to slide upward, and then downward so as to exert a force upon the work piece toward a work surface. The machine may further include two two-way cylinders, a hammer guide, constraining springs and an interchangeable plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for blast hole drilling includes a hammer and drill bit driven by a hydraulic drive motor outside the hole through a drill string extending along the drilled hole to the drill bit. The drive motor is carried on a mast with a telescopic hydraulic cylinder driving the motor along the mast in a forward direction for forwarding the drill bit along the hole to the rock face and for applying a feed force on the drill bit at the rock face and in a rearward direction for reducing the feed force and for withdrawing the drill bit from the hole. The cylinder assembly has a pulldown pressure side fed at a constant supply rate and a holdback pressure side controlled to discharge the fluid when moving downwards and to supply the fluid at a constant rate when pulling up.

Abstract: A top head rotary drive and mast assembly for drilling which is adapted to be readily mounted on a derrick of a conventional truck, crawler or other vehicle so as to be movable from a stored position adjacent the derrick to a deployed position spaced from the derrick for drilling. The mast is adapted to be pivotally connected by at least one upper support arm to the derrick of the vehicle. The deployment and retraction of the mast and the top head rotary drive relative to the derrick are accomplished utilizing either a control device for moving a holding plate which is movable along the mast and to which the top head rotary drive is mounted or by separate lifting device. The invention is also directed to a combination top head drive and mast assembly and drilling rig and method for their use.

Abstract: A method in or relating to piling of e.g. tubular bases which are placed and, possibly, casted within a hole drilled out in earth mass in ground or the like is described. One uses a generally known drilling rig, in which a bit is assigned a drilling hammer, and drills a hold having a depth approximately corresponding to the base pipe. If there exists a need for piling, the drill string is swung aside, away from the hole, after having been pulled up, and one or, possibly, a plurality of piles is/are rammed down with a starting point at the bottom level of the bore hole. In order to drive the pile(s) down, the drilling hammer of the drilling rig is used.

Abstract: A pipe gripping device is taught which is useful for moving pipe into and/or out of a well. The pipe gripping device includes a first set of slips for holding a pipe in a pipe light condition and a second set of slips for holding a pipe in a pipe heavy condition. The second set of slips are actuatable independently from the first set of slips. The pipe gripping device can include a slip moving system which prevents the slip carrier blocks from being driven outwardly against the housing, to thereby prevent the carrier blocks from locking, by being driven against the housing.

Abstract: A thrust system for a horizontal directional drill is provided. The thrust system includes a drill boom having a drive sprocket positioned at the first end thereof and a driven sprocket positioned at the second end thereof. A carriage for supporting the horizontal drill is slidably received on the drill boom. The carriage includes idler sprockets positioned between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket in the drill boom. A serpentine chain extends about the drive sprocket, the driven sprocket and the idler sprockets in order to provide greater thrust and pullback of the drill at given torques. Rotation of the drive sprocket in a first direction draws the carriage towards the first end of the drill boom, and rotation of the drive sprocket in a second direction draws the carriage towards the second end of the drill boom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the operation and construction of roof bolters or roof bolt installation apparatus. The improvements comprise a roof bolter constructed so that the critical moving parts of its timber jack, feed frame, feed carrier and rotational unit are comprised of a rod and sleeve construction. Such construction allowing the protection of surfaces. The construction also includes feature of a spaced apart rod and sleeve construction which allows motive power units to be housed within the confines of the timber jack and feed carrier. The spaced apart arrangement also provides stability to the roof bolter.

Abstract: The most dangerous task in mechanically driving a post into the ground is initially holding the post in an upright position while it is hammered to start it into the ground. When used with mobile equipment having an hydraulically driven post pounder the post picker not only eliminates the danger in starting a post into the ground, but additionally eliminates the necessity of using more than one man to do the job! A method is disclosed wherein a single hydraulic valve on a piece of mobile equipment may be used to control both the post picker and pounder.

Abstract: A drilling device has a drilling mast and a movable drifter thereon with a drill rod stabilizing device for stabilizing drill rods in position during drilling. The stabilizer travels along the mast along with the drifter, and includes a locking arm that automatically opens and closes the stabilizer to allow passage of drill rods into an out of the drill line from storage, while supporting the drill rods during drilling. In a substantially vertical drilling position, the stabilizer is moved downwardly by gravity, and upwardly by the drifter's drive chain, which is retained in contact with the stabilizer by a pick-up link on the drive chain contacting stop blocks on the stabilizer. In a substantially horizontal drilling position, the stabilizer is moved in a return direction by the pick-up link and stop block combination.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus which comprises support structure mounted guide tracks which extend in a drilling direction. A rotating and pushing unit is mounted on said guide tracks for movement in the drilling direction. The apparatus is provided with a series of members for adjusting the height of the rotating and pushing unit in relation to the guide tracks, the members extending in the drilling direction and allowing the rotating and pushing unit to glide in the drilling direction.

Abstract: A boring tool with two driving heads which are used to sink a casing string and a borer string includes a controllable coupling mechanism fitted between the two driving heads. A mechanism is also provided for the lower driving head, such that the driving head is subjected to an additional downwards acting force. When both driving heads are coupled, the upper driving head is also subjected to an additional, downwards acting vertical force. In order to free the top end of the casing string, the coupling mechanism can be released so that the upper driving head can be fully raised, whilst the lower driving head remains in position adjacent to the ground.

Abstract: Augering device is disclosed which is useful for drilling holes in the ground at various angles under relatively low overhead or ceiling conditions. The device is suitable for mounting on a wide variety of vehicles ranging from the bed of small pickup trucks to very large track type caterpillars with booms. The device has an extendable mast powered by a downcrowding mechanism, a kelly assembly, and a kelly rotating mechanism. The extendable mast has a first mast member and a second mast member. A downcrowding hydraulic cylinder extends the second mast member away from the first mast member and pulls the second mast member towards the first mast member. The telescoping kelly sections include at least an outer kelly section and an inner kelly section. The outer kelly section has an axis parallel to but spaced apart from the axis of the first mast member. A bearing rotatable supports the outer kelly section and prevents axial displacement of the outer kelly section relative thereto.

Abstract: A grade stake driver includes a frame for supporting a hammer and a grade stake under the hammer. A shuttle secured to the hammer movably mounts onto the frame to connect the hammer to the frame. A hoist secured to the shuttle mounts onto the frame to permit the raising and lowering of the hammer. A receiver mounted on the frame outputs a control signal in response to a transmitted signal. A switch mounted on the frame transforms the control signal into an on/off signal. A relay mounted on the frame connects the hammer to a power source in response to the on/off signal, thereby effecting the driving of the grade stake.

Abstract: A downcrowdable telescopic augering apparatus including a vehicle having a boom which carries a cradle in which a kelly tube is slidably mounted and on which a kelly winch and a service winch are mounted. A winch management system oversees the operation of said winches to prevent the kelly cable and the service cable from being broken or becoming slack when the kelly tube moves with respect to the cradle. A bottomhole kelly cable arresting system arrests the rotation of the drum of the kelly winch when the kelly cable is slack.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the position of a feed beam (1) in a rock drilling apparatus relative to a cradle (4) therein, or measuring the position of a rock drill (3) relative to the feed beam (1). In the arrangement an inelastic, flexible cogged belt (6; 13) is fixed to the feed beam (1) to the surface thereof, the cogged belt (6; 13) being installed to turn about the gear (9; 15) of a resolver mounted in a cradle (4) or movably with the rock drill (3), so that when the feed beam (1) moves relative to the cradle or when the rock drill (3) moves relative to the feed beam (1), the cogged belt (6; 13) rotates the gear (9; 15) of the resolver, and the resolver measures the position of the feed beam (1) or the rock drill (3) respectively.

Abstract: A device for inserting a substantially vertical drainage wick, comprising a movable frame; an inserting lance which is provided with a passage for receiving the drainage wick and corresponding with the longitudinal axis of the inserting lance; a standing guide for the inserting lance supported by the frame; a supply mechanism for arranging the drainage wick in unwindable manner; a drive; a transmission connected to the drive; and at least on drive member coacting with the transmission, the inserting lance drive including a closed loop of a flexible element with one part of the closed loop coacting with the transmission and the other part of the loop fixed to the inserting lance.

Abstract: A tool driving apparatus having an elongated mast which is collapsibly mounted on a transportable supporting base therefor, wherein the mast has a movable carriage slidably mounted thereon for movement along the length thereof. A first piston is mounted to the supporting base and is drivingly connected to the carriage mounted on the mast for providing slidable movement thereof, and a second piston is carried by the carriage and is drivingly connected to a separate tool, such as a soil probe. The first piston is disposed opposite relative to the second piston, such that extension of the first piston is in a direction opposite to that of the second, and whereby retraction of the first piston and extension of the second piston will cause the tool to be driven in one direction, and extension of the first piston and retraction of the second piston will cause the tool to be retracted in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The assembly is designed to convert a conventional land rig to "top drive". It comprises a torque track that is shipped in sections and is assembled to form a rigid track extending vertically in the derrick. The track is rigidly attached to the derrick only at its base, so that the track is free to twist and deflect laterally along its length. The housing of the top drive is connected by an angled, pivotally mounted link means with a tubular bushing that embraces and slides along the track. The link means and bushing are adapted to restrain rotation of the housing relative to the track, while transmitting both side and torque reactive loads to the track. The angled pivoting link enables the top drive to be displaced outwardly to a position over the mousehole. The top drive incorporates a hydraulic motor and gear drive assembly for rotating a drive shaft connecting the drill string and hoisting means. The housing does not carry the drill string load and can be made lighter and more compact as a result.

Abstract: A well rig lifting system and a hydraulic energy-storing well rig lifting system, wherein a high pressure energy-storing cylinder and a composite cylinder or cylinder group are used to carry out the lifting and lowering operations. During the lifting operation, a power machine under a substantially constant load continuously pumps oil to the energy-storing cylinder, and communication relationships of the energy-storing cylinder with various chambers of the composite cylinder or cylinder group is selected to provide an appropriate lifting force to lift the pipe string. Therefore, the installed capacity of the power machine can be reduced to 1/3-1/4 of that in a conventional lifting system.

Abstract: A hydraulic pile driver (9) including a backhoe (10), a lead (30), a vibratory hydraulic hammer (38), and a winch (46), for driving pin pile or needle pile (44) into the ground. The lead (30) is limited in height, as is the backhoe (10) in size, so that the pile driver (9) can be used within the interiors of many building structures. The vibratory hydraulic hammer (38) operates at a rate greater than 400 blows per minute and generates a force greater than 100 foot-pounds.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a rotational drive unit. The rotational drive unit includes a socket portion which receives a truck or carrier. Opposing engagement surfaces of the carrier are separated by a distance greater than the length of the socket. The resulting lost motion connection allows for a range of free movement of the rotational head on the carrier.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for moving a drilling head in a rectilinear motion between a mast crown and a mast table on a drilling machine includes a double rod hydraulic cylinder connected at a bottom end to a mast table and at a top end to a traveling sheave block; first and second flexible connector members for connecting a drilling head to the mast through the sheave block; and hydraulic feed circuitry for actuating the cylinder to move the sheave block and drilling head alternately in a first pulldown direction and in a second pullback direction.

Abstract: A crustbreaking assembly comprising elongated rails supported on a frame and a carriage moveable along the length of the rails. A slide assembly pivotally mounted on the carriage for rotation about an axis which is substantially parallel to the rails. A hammer assembly mounted on the slide assembly with a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the rails and including a reciprocable cutting bit which reciprocates along the longitudinal axis of the hammer assembly.

Abstract: A truck mounted boring system providing a high degree of radial and longitudinal freedom. The system provides a method of quickly setting up a boring system used for directional drilling of underground cabling bore holes. A hydraulic system providing power to the boring system is run by a power take off of a truck. The truck is used to position the boring system. The boring system employs a rotatably mounted hydraulic actuator which radially and axially changes the orientation of the drilling system. The drill bit is driven into a boring hole using a linear chain drive. The chain drive is mounted on a boring platform that can achieve motion relative to the truck or drive the drill toward the bore hole in response to a restraining bar.

Abstract: A manually portable drilling system for the purpose of drilling earth bore holes. The drilling system will accommodate a lightweight drill pipe for air or mud rotary drilling, auger, or with use of air hammer percussion tools. The drilling system includes a self-contained mast which is detachable from a support base table. The mast contains an internal traveling shuttle to which a power unit is attached. The shuttle is manually driven by a conventional two speed, reversible hand winch modified to allow both hoisting and pull down capabilities. A partially hollow, perforated quill is coupled to an output drive of the power unit and drill pipe. This drilling system may be set up or broken down in minutes and carried to areas inaccessible by conventional portable drilling machines.

Abstract: A lightweight power tool includes a housing having a handle and an implement projecting form the housing. A drive mechanism is included as part of the housing for moving the implement relative to the housing. A power source that includes an electric motor is disposed at a location removed from the housing. A flexible power transmission line connects the housing and the power source. The housing includes a transmitter for generating an on-off signal, which transmitter is activated by a manual switch included as part of the housing. The power source includes a receiver for receiving the on-off signal generated by the transmitter. Because the power source is not included as part of the housing, the housing is very lightweight and maneuverable. Accordingly, the power tool can be manipulated conveniently by handicapped persons, those having small hands, or those having less than average strength.

Abstract: A rock drill feed support beam comprises longitudinal side plates and a base member which are formed of folded metal plate welded together to form a channel-like support beam with a substantially clear unobstructed space between the members for containing a plurality of pressure fluid hoses which are trained over a hose guide supported by the feed beam and also disposed generally between the side members in the space. A feed mechanism comprising an endless chain is disposed in the channel-like space and includes a support member connected to the hose guide and supporting spaced apart sprockets. One run of the chain is connected to the drill motor and the opposite run of the chain is anchored to the feed beam. A motor is drivably connected to the chain through one of the sprockets for advancing the drill motor at twice the rate of the hose guide and the feed support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the production of drilling holes from an angled position with respect to the drilling axis, wherein the system has a free-moving drilling support with a drilling machine axially movable thereon. According to this process the drilling rod is provided with a flexible configuration that is diverted by passing through a bend guide affixed to a drilling support, from the rotation axis of the drilling machine to the axis of the drill hole. According to this device, the flexible drilling rod system consists of a tubular core and of wires or rods twisted around this core.

Abstract: A self-aligning top drive device and gimballing apparatus therefor. The gimballing apparatus provides horizontal and tilting movement to maintain alignment between a top drive and a tubular or tubulars suspended in a derrick, the gimballing provided by pivot pins extending from the sides of the top drive into a portion of a gimbal frame and by a pivot pin extending from the gimbal frame into a gimbal frame support. The gimbal frame support can be movably mounted on a top drive dolly to provide displacement of the top drive with respect to the dolly.

Abstract: A top head drive cooling system is provided for an earth drilling machine of the type having a mast, a top head drive assembly mounted for movement along the mast, a quill included in the top head drive assembly, and an electric motor for rotating the quill. This cooling system includes an air duct mounted to the mast and defining a slot extending along the mast. The slot is sealed by a pair of flexible resilient lips which bridge the slot, and a blower is situated at ground level to blow cooling air into the air duct. A conduit is provided on the top head drive assembly, and the conduit extends between the lips into the air duct and conducts air from the air duct to the electric motor. The portion of the conduit which extends into the air duct is preferably tapered at both ends in order to provide a sliding seal against the lips. A position measuring system is coupled to the conduit and is positioned within the air duct.

Abstract: A compact earthdrilling module for vehicle mounting includes a derrick having a conventional tophead-drive drill assembly slidably mounted thereon. The derrick includes an extendable top portion mounting a hoist. A single telescoping piston-cylinder assembly on the derrick moves the drillhead assembly along the derrick and extends the top portion of the derrick. The piston-cylinder assembly is hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling equipment whose annular bit (4) for cutting the rock located in the deepest point of the drill hole is provided with high-pressure water-jet nozzles and is connected via a flexible high-pressure hose pipe (13) with a high-pressure pump. In order to be able to drill with the aid of such a drilling equipment small-diameter drill holes of high directional stability, the invention proposes that the high-pressure hose pipe (13) be constructed to be rigid under torsion, non-rotatably connected to the annular bit (4) and the turning drive (24, 25) of the drilling machine (8) and to be journaled in a non-rotatable jacket tube (15) elastically deflectable from the extension position, said jacket tube being rigid in radial direction and guided in the area of the drill hole mouth in a deflecting device (7) and displaceable together with the high-pressure hose pipe (13) in its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Vibrations having a frequency exceeding 150 Hertz are established in a rigid body by means of a vibrator system that in one embodiment includes a pair of rotating wheels, only one of which has a weighted eccentric secured to its axle. The wheels are coupled together by an endless belt made of a material that dampens the vibrations propagating between the wheels. The unweighted wheel is driven by a flexible shaft connected to its axle. In another embodiment three wheels are used in which two are weighted at the axles. The vibrator system may be used to sink pipes and the like into the ground, or shake a sorting table employed, for example, in the mining industry or a silo hopper for discharging grain. Also disclosed is a method for sinking a pipe or the like into the ground and retrieving it after lowering it a predetermined distance. In this method, wires are attached at each end of the pipe for facilitating its downward motion and its retrieval.

Abstract: An anvil is formed on one end of an elongated piece and the piece is driven into the ground or the like by impacting the anvil with a reciprocable ram driven by a drive mechanism that is operated by a valve which is reciprocably mounted in a normally balanced two directional fluid pressure circuit to reciprocate in the alternate directions thereof when the circuit is unbalanced in the respective directions thereof. The circuit has a pair of outlets therein which are connected with the opposing ends of the valve and disposed to slidably engage with the ram during the stroke thereof. The ram comprises an anvil impacting body having a striking surface on one end thereof and a pair of grooves in one laterally oriented face thereof which are mutually offset longitudinally the the reciprocable axis of the body on spaced parallel lines to form collateral mutually longitudinally offset lands on the lines.

Abstract: An improved drill feeding mechanism for a rock and earth drilling machine is disclosed wherein substantially all the loading forces due to the drilling and extracting operations are directed away from the upper portion of the tower. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by having a hydraulically displaced carriage guidingly supported for linear translation along a drill tower. Cable reeving about the carriage is anchored at a mid point on the tower and reversably displaces a guided drilling head at twice the linear velocity of the carriage and in the same direction. A hydraulic cylinder is attached at the tower base and activates the carriage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile drilling rig used for deep wells. The mast structure can be made considerably lighter than previously by translation of the drilling string lifting pressure against the bottom of the mast rather than being supported by the mast itself. A hydraulic cylinder extending upwardly within the raised mast bears against the bottom of the mast, and has a pulley at its top over which a lifting chain passes. One end of the chain is linked to the bottom of the mast, the other to the top drive. As the cylinder extends, the top drive rises, lifting the drilling string, but with virtually the entire lifting force against the bottom of the mast.

Abstract: A device in rock or earth drilling apparatus for rotary drilling including an axially stationary chuck (21) and an axially movable chuck (27) which is rotated by a reversible pressure fluid driven rotary motor (32) having a pressure fluid supply conduit for each direction and which is moved forwards and backwards by a reversible pressure fluid driven feed motor (17) having a pressure fluid supply conduit (18, 19) for each direction, the chucks being actuated to withdraw from or insert in a drill hole a drill string (23) composed by a number of threaded string elements and (are also actuated) to make or break the joints between the string elements.

Abstract: A device for reciprocating motion of a rotating drilling body of a drilling machine in the longitudinal direction of a hole drilled in rock or ground includes two cylinder-piston devices which via chains are connected to a carriage carrying the drilling body and which comprise parallel piston rods, the ends of which are supported by a frame on the machine, and cylinders movable along the piston rods and connected to each other and via the chains also to the carriage. To increase the feeding velocity of the carriage or to increase the force of the carriage one of the cylinders or both cylinders, respectively, are selectively fluid pressurized.

Abstract: A chain-type hoist pull down system for a large blast hole drilling rig is provided which includes an auxiliary tensioning mechanism to increase the tension of the pull down chain during selected operating modes. In the preferred embodiment the auxiliary tensioning mechanism comprises a single acting hydraulic cylinder suspended between an idler sprocket and a spring loaded resilient mounting. A simple circuit for automatically actuating the auxiliary tensioning mechanism at the required time is also provided.

Abstract: A mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation in a drilling apparatus comprising a feeding beam (1) and a drilling machine (3) supported by the beam for longitudinal movement back and forth along the beam in a drilling direction (A) and an opposite return direction (B) by a feeding mechanism (4). The drilling machine is provided with a pressure medium driven rotating device (9) for rotating a drilling rod and with a reversing valve (13) connected to the pressure medium system of the rotating device. The reversing valve is provided with a spindle rotatable between two positions in which the rotating device rotates the drilling rod in opposite directions. The reversing mechanism comprises two actuating elements (24,27) rotatable with respect to each other. One element (24) is in rotational engagement with the spindle and is moved axially together with the spindle at least at the end of the return direction of the drilling machine.

Abstract: A drill rig for drilling a hole in the ground including a mast, having a longitudinal slide means at one face thereof, adapted to be set upright with the slide means facing, and being at a selected spacing from and parallel to the axis of a drill hole to be drilled with the rig; a slide frame mounted upon the mast slide means and lifter-pulldown means in the mast to move the slide frame along the longitudinal slide means; a lateral shifting means on the slide frame shiftable towards and away from the slide frame in the direction of the drill hole; a drill carrier attached to the shifting means to be shifted to a first position against the slide frame and to a second position outwardly therefrom; and a drill mechanism means including a drill pipe means mounted upon the drill carrier to effect drilling by a drill pipe means, with the drill pipe means being aligned with the drill hole axis when the drill carrier is at one of said positions.

Abstract: A drilling rig carried by a vehicle includes a mast having upper and lower sections. The lower section is mounted on a support surface of the vehicle which is maintained parallel to the ground surface during drilling. The upper section is secured to the lower section so that the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower sections are offset at a predetermined acute angle and the top of the upper section is beyond an edge of the surface. A rotary power drill head is translatable along the length of the lower section. A cable pulled by a draw works on the vehicle extends over a pulley at the top of the upper section and thence downwardly. The angle of the surface is controlled so that during vertical hole drilling the surface is horizontal and the power drill head is directly above the hole. During pipe hoisting, the pulley is directly above the hole so the cable extends downwardly in line with the hole, while it is attached to the pipe.

Abstract: The drilling apparatus includes a mount in the form of a cylindrical member defining an elongated passageway and being provided with two opposite guiding rails each being formed with an elongated recessed channel communicating with the passageway; a rotary drive for holding a drill rod has a non-rotating casing provided with guiding elements movable in the recesses of the guiding rails; a feeding mechanism for advancing the rotary drive includes either tooth racks arranged in the recesses of the guiding rails and driving pinions mounted on the casing of the rotary drive or cylinder and piston units located in the recesses of the guide rails and cooperating with feed cables or chains. The mount is supported on a mobile undercarriage which is provided with two pairs of vertically adjustable supporting legs.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus embodying an elongated boxed-in frame supporting a transmission unit for longitudinal movement therein with the transmission unit connecting a polygonal drive shaft to a driven head which is threadedly connected to a drill rod section. A first drive unit carried by the elongated frame has a drive shaft in axial alignment with one end of the polygonal shaft with the other end of the polygonal shaft being in axial alignment with the drive shaft of a second drive unit. The drive units exert torque concomitantly at opposite ends of the polygonal shaft to rotate both ends of the polygonal shaft in the same direction. The elongated frame is carried by a supporting frame mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on a translatable frame to position the driven head at selected angular positions about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A safety device for a drilling rig of the type wherein a drill-carrying cradle is caused to move upwardly or downwardly on a tower by a chain which traverses sprockets at opposite ends of the tower. Shock loads and vibration cause premature failures in the chain when withdrawing a drill string as the cradle is pulled upwardly on the tower. The present invention minimizes shock loads on the chain to minimize the possibility of a chain failure and, at the same time, prevents a fall of the cradle and drill carried thereby if the chain above it should break, this latter function being accomplished with the use of spring-loaded toothed dogs on the cradle which engage the tower and prevent movement of the cradle in the event of a chain failure.

Abstract: An improved drilling rig (10) and conversion apparatus for drilling rigs is disclosed. The rig includes a percussion assembly (32) rotatably mounted to a ram (30) above the ground in which drilling is to be made. The rig (10) includes a conversion mandrel (40) structured for insection in, and retention by, the percussion assembly (32) in place of a normally retained bit element (34). The mandrel (40) has an anvil surface (56) to which percussive strokes of a piston (50) disposed within the percussion assembly (32) for reciprocating movement therein are applied. The mandrel (40) further includes a hammer portion (68) to transfer both the percussive force of the piston (50) and continuous downward pressure applied to the percussion assembly (32) by the ram 30 to a length of casing (20) encircling the drill rod (22) which accomplishes the drilling. The conversion apparatus can, therefore, convert a bottom-hole drilling rig to a top-of-the-hole rig.