Abstract: A swivel apparatus of the type having a main body for supporting a rotatable member, wherein the member supports a load therefrom and is journaled to the main body by a thrust bearing assembly that transfers the load from the rotatable member into the main body. The speed of rotation of the thrust bearing assembly is reduced to a value which is less than the speed of rotation of the rotatable member. This is achieved by rotatably driving a gear means by the rotatable member; and, arranging a first and a second thrust bearing and a middle race member adjacent to one another with the middle race member separating the first and second thrust bearings from one another. This enables the load carried by the rotatable member to be transferred into the first thrust bearing, into the middle race member, into the second thrust bearing, and into the main body.

Abstract: Apparatus for digging post holes with motorized power. The earth drill comprises a rigid lever pivotally mounted on an axle supported by a pair of wheels. Motorized digging means are pivotally connected to one end of the lever. The other end of the lever is adapted for exertion of upward and downward forces thereupon. The distance from the point of support of the lever by the axle to the first end of the lever defines a first lever arm. The distance from the point of support to the other end of the lever defines a second lever arm.

Abstract: A post hole digger comprising an auger and motor assembly pivotably mounted to one end of an elongate support structure, the other end of which being mounted via a pivot connection to a support base either mounted or adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, the elongate support structure being adapted to extend to permit the auger to be moved towards or away from the support base and the pivot connection permitting the auger to be raised or lowered or moved laterally relative to said support base.

Abstract: The unit for borehole running and pulling operations with drill pipes or rods has its centralizer mounted for vertical reciprocation along guides and horizontal displacement along guideways in the opening of the racking platform in its cooperation with the traveling block. The guides for vertical reciprocation of the centralizer are rigid and provided with stops, and each guideway for horizontal displacement of the centralizer is in the form of either a plate with a slot, or a beam mounted for its introduction into and withdrawal from the opening of the racking platform.

Abstract: A rock drilling machine, particularly for underground excavations comprises a drilling carriage, and a rotary drilling drive arranged in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the drilling carriage, the rotary drilling drive having a drive shaft, an adaptor connected with the drive shaft for joint rotation therewith and having a threaded end for form-locking receipt of drilling rods with a respective counter thread, and a clamping head co-rotating with the drive shaft for force-transmitting receipt of outwardly smooth drilling rods, the adaptor being arranged forwardly of the clamping head as considered in a drilling direction, the threaded end of the adaptor extending outwardly beyond the clamping head for free observation and being releasably mounted on a part of the drive shaft independently of the clamping head.

Abstract: Compact casing tongs include a tube which is secured to a connector, the connector in turn being supported and rotated by a quill of a top head drive assembly. The lower end of the tube regidly supports a set of cams which define multiple recesses. A jaw is mounted in each recess, and each of the jaws is connected to a brake ring positioned outside the tube. By externally braking the brake ring while the quill connector body is rotated the jaws are shifted out of the recesses to grip the exterior of a casing positioned within the tube. The tube is dimensioned to ensure that the jaws engage the body of the casing beneath the upper collar of the casing.

Abstract: A torque reactor for a top drive drilling rig converts reactive torque on the top drive housing into a rotational torque on a torque shaft. The torque shaft extends vertically in the derrick parallel with the drive stem. A torque case carries two bushings, one of the bushings receiving the drive stem of the top drive and the other slidingly receiving the torque shaft. The drive unit bushing is rigidly connected to the housing of the top drive. The torque shaft bushing will transmit rotational force to the torque shaft. Linkages interconnect the bushings. Rotational torque imposed on the drive unit bushing creates a rotational torque in the torque shaft bushing. That torque is transmitted to the torque shaft which is held stationary to absorb the torque.

Abstract: A drilling assembly for making boreholes with undercuts comprises a housing receiving a drill receiver driven by a drilling machine, a drill, the shaft of which is connected to the drill receiver, and a sleeve-shaped centering insert protruding from the housing and surrounding the shaft of the drill with a play and having a conical portion the outer diameter of which increases towards the housing.

Abstract: A mechanical concrete drill system is provided which is capable of drilling holes in concrete curbs, walls, and the like, while being permanently mounted to a truck. A hydraulic lift system contained in the truck moves the drill system vertically, so that the drill can be operated in various vertical positions. The drill system is conveniently stored in the truck for movement to other drill sites.

Abstract: A well-logging laboratory, for use with a well-logging tool which is suspended within a borehole by a wireline, includes a moveable frame upon which the wireless drum is mounted, and a moveable bulkhead is associated with the frame and various well-logging apparatus can be secured to the bulkhead, whereby the frame and bulkhead may be assembled as a modular unit, and moved within the well-logging laboratory as a modular unit.

Abstract: A drilling machine includes a drilling substructure skid which defines two spaced parallel skid runners and a platform. The platform supports a draw works mounted on a draw works skid, and a pipe boom is mounted on a pipe boom skid sized to fit between the skid runners of the drilling substructure skid. The drilling substructure skid supports four legs which in turn support a drilling platform on which is mounted a lower mast section. The legs are pivotably mounted both at the platform and at the drilling substructure skid and a pair of platform cylinders are provided to raise and lower the drilling platform. A pair of rigid, fixed length struts extend diagonally between the platform and the substructure skid away from the platform such that the struts do not extend under the platform and obstruct access to the region under the platform. Preferably, the pipe boom skid mounts a pipe boom as well as a boom linkage, a motor, and a hydraulic pump adapted to power the pipe boom linkage.

Abstract: Equipment for drilling a row of equidistant holes comprises a carriage attached to a tractor and two earth augers rotated about their axes by the tractor power-take-off through transmission means. The augers are fastened in opposite alignment to a horizontal axle which is mounted in bearings on the carriage and is rotated by one of the road wheels through a chain drive causing the two augers to rotate about the axle in a plane parallel to the direction of travel. The rotating augers enter the soil alternately and drill equidistant holes during progress of the tractor and the carriage.

Abstract: To rotate a pipe (17) to be urged into the ground, a rotary disk (20) clamped at said pipe (17) is pivotable on a table (19) which carries two groups of driving cylinders (40, 41). While the first group is operative to carry out the working stroke in order to turn the rotary disk (20) the return stroke is performed by the second group thus ensuring a continuous rotation of the rotary disk (20) or a standstill in one sense of rotation.

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: An improved power spinner for rotating a kelly joint having a pipe sub rotatably mounted in a housing with a ring gear on the sub and a motor mounted on the housing for powering the ring gear. A drive gear is connected coaxially to the motor and a shifting arm is pivotally mounted coaxially with the axis of the drive gear. A movable gear is positioned in the plane of the ring gear and mounted on the shifting arm for engagement and disengagement with the ring gear and the movable gear is connected to and driven by the drive gear and rotatable about the drive gear. A control is connected to the shifting arm for laterally moving the movable gear toward and away from the ring gear and for locking the gears together when engaged. The control may include a cam engaging the arm for rotating the arm about the axis of the drive gear with a bell crank connected to the arm and an actuator connected to the bell crank.

Abstract: A well drilling assembly of the type in which a rotary device is attached to a drawworks, for example to the hoisting hook on a derrick, to which rotary device a hollow shaft is coupled, having a threaded end which is adapted for connection to a complementary threaded end on the drill string, and wherein a clamping/lifting means known as an elevator is suspended below the rotary device by two hanger struts. The shaft connected to the rotary device is telescopic. Outside the shaft a lifting means is provided for the lower part of the telescopic shaft. The two hanger struts which carry the elevator for one end of the pipe are means of a sliding holder known as a link hanger. The link hanger is axially movable by means of hydraulic cylinders.The lifting means for the lower part of the telescopic shaft consists of hydraulic cylinders which are constructed as a unit together with the hydraulic cylinders, the cylinders constituting piston rods for the hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: For drilling holes in remote locations there is provided drilling apparatus consisting of hand-transportable modules which include a base assembly (12), a derrick (13) removably mounted on the base assembly and including an elongated tubular member (51) and a carriage (52) moved along the tubular member by a block and tackle (81), and a hydraulic cylinder (97). The carriage has a detachable support portion (55) that supports a drill assembly (14) on one side of the derrick for drilling and an anchor assembly (15) on the other side of the derrick for anchoring the base assembly to the earth's surface. A hydrostatic drive system (17) selectively actuates the carriage, drill and anchor.

Abstract: A compact power swivel for well drilling rigs and the like, comprising a frame; a mounting bracket secured to the frame; a quill rotatable on an axis mounted to the bracket; a bull gear coaxially disposed on the quill for rotating the quill; a motor mounted to the bracket and including a shaft rotatable on an axis parallel to the quill axis; a spur gear coaxially disposed on the shaft and rotatable, therewith engaging the bull gear for rotating the bull gear and the quill thereby; a disc brake mounted to the bracket and co-operating with the shaft for controlling rotation of the shaft and the quill thereby; and a thrust bearing coaxially disposed on the quill and associated with the bracket, for permitting free rotation of the quill and for distributing to the bracket forces associated with displacement of the swivel.

Abstract: A drill box support mechanism for a mining bolter machine is driven by a hydraulic motor and drives a drill steel through a drill chuck. The drill box is supported on a support plate by a spring washer that extends over a central lip at the bottom of the drill box. A rod descends downwardly from the drill box offset from the center of rotation and engages a hole in the support plate.

Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing a valve connected into a tubular element at the upper end of a drill string, to close off the flow of fluid through the element, and including a sleeve about the tubular element movable upwardly and downwardly relative thereto and mechanism carried by the sleeve for pivoting a valve actuating member to open and close the valve upon upward and downward movement of the sleeve. The specified mechanism preferably includes a part which interfits with the valve actuating member in a manner pivoting it upon upward and downward movement of the sleeve, but which desirably moves out of that interfitting relation in the extreme upper and lower positions of the sleeve to enable manual actuation of the valve in those positions without interference by the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: Drilling device for forming a borehole with an undercut, includes a cutting edge support mounted in a bearing housing so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation and pivot about a pivot axle extending transversely of the axis of rotation. A drive member via a drive shaft rotates the bearing housing and the cutting edge support. Initially, the drilling device forms a cylindrical borehole until the bearing housing contacts the material in which the borehole is formed. Then, due to relative axial displacement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, the cutting edge support is pivoted and the cutting edges at the end of the cutting edge support within the base of the borehole makes an undercut. A stop in the bearing housing engages the cutting edge supports and limits its pivotal movement. A spring within the bearing housing returns the cutting edge support to its starting position when it is no longer pivoted to form the undercut.

Abstract: A combination drilling and mining head is provided which engages in screwed connection to the uppermost and outermost section of the drill string and allows the tool string to be rotated by the power swivel during both the drilling and mining operations. A lateral connection on the stationary manifold of the swivel head connects to the annular space between the dual conduits for supplying drilling and mining fluid to the tool string, the center or discharge conduit is connected through a swivel for discharging drill cuttings during the drilling cycle and ore slurry during the mining mode. The center or discharge conduit can also be used to supply drilling or mining fluid through the center conduit to the tool string while the lateral connection on the stationary manifold is used to discharge the drill cuttings or slurry pumped through the annular space between the conduits.

Abstract: An extricator handle includes a quick snap-on feature for easy attachment to jammed earth augers. The invention preferably comprises a pair of hand grip bars, a receptacle box, an adaptor element and a locking bolt. The shaft of the jammed earth auger is received in a cavity in the adaptor element. The earth auger includes a spring-loaded pushbutton which locks into a complementary aperture in the sidewall of the adaptor element. The adaptor element is received in a cavity in the receptacle box. A threaded aperture in the adaptor receives the locking bolt which passes through another aperture in the receptacle box. The handle may be easily snap fitted onto the exposed shaft of a jammed auger and then manually turned to dislodge the auger from its jammed position.

Abstract: Modular fire fighting apparatus includes a power module having a turbine driven by fluid, such as water, introduced at a supply inlet to a housing for the module, a drive shaft driven by the turbine and extending from a coupling face of the housing and a fluid outlet disposed at the coupling face of the housing, and various penetrating and extinguishing tool modules each having a housing within which are disposed a fluid receiving inlet and a driven member. The penetrating and extinguishing tool modules are each adapted to be mounted on the power module such that the driven member is releasably engaged with the drive shaft and fluid supplied to the power module housing is delivered to the penetrating and extinguishing tool module housing via the fluid outlet of the power module housing and the fluid receiving inlet of the penetrating and extinguishing tool module housing.

Abstract: An earth auger arrangement wherein a power source is mounted on wheels for moving the power source over the earth's surface with means connected to the power source for relaying power to a transmission with which an auger is connected. Handle means are connected to the transmission for manually positioning the auger in relation to the earth's surface to penetrate it at a desired angle with throttle means on the handle means to control the power source. Shaft means are pivotally connected to and extend between the power source and the handle means to reduce counter rotation or counter torque from being exerted on the operator when the auger is rotated to penetrate the earth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for subterranean slurry drilling and mining of granular ore, such as phosphates, with a combined drilling and mining apparatus. The apparatus includes a tool string having a drilling head and mining head that are selectively interchangeable on its upper end for drilling into one or more ore strata to be mined and thereafter to remove ore from the strata as a slurry. The drill string includes a plurality of inner and outer pipe sections connected to a drill bit at its lower end. A drilling/mining liquid is directed through the tool string during both the drilling and mining modes of operation. During drilling, liquid is directed through a foot valve into the rotating bit to wash cuttings to the surface externally of the tool.

Abstract: An excavating tool having an auger head of conventional construction at one end of a horizontal rod with a ratchet drive for rotating said rod at the other end thereof. An outer drive tube covers the intermediate portion of said rod and a thrust washer is secured to said drive rod adjacent the auger head for receiving horizontal thrust from the outer covering drive tube. Perpendicular bars fastened to said covering tube provide engagement means for a drive bar driven into the soil for applying horizontal pressure to the auger head while the auger head is being rotated. This device permits the boring of horizontal holes beneath foundations, sidewalks, etc.

Abstract: A portable earth boring machine for the boring of vertically inclined shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections characterized by a main frame portion that supports the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus, and a detachably mounted engine frame portion that permits the transmission of power between the engine and the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is positioned on the main frame portion at the boring location but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means. The machine is further characterized by a novel control means for the auger drive apparatus that provides for remote operation and hydraulically actuated variable speed control of the boring auger.

Abstract: A tubular structural member is inserted in a ground or soil formation by drilling the formation ahead of a cutting edge on the member proper and bringing the member to perform a combined rotary and axial movement so that the cutting edge is driven into the drilled zone. An apparatus for practicing the method comprises a drilling machine having a feed device, a cutting edge at one end of the structural member and a means for rotating and axially displacing the member.

Abstract: A safety earth auger is employed for forming post holes and in similar uses. The auger is supported pivotally beween elongated handles and is driven from an engine mounted on a remote frame. The frame has ground wheels which provide for stability during operation while permitting the frame to pivot as the auger enters the earth.