Abstract: An anchoring and lifting system for a wind turbine tower having a tower base; a plurality of base anchors attached to the tower base; an anchor outrigger attached to and extending laterally outward from the tower base; at least one secondary anchor attached to the anchor outrigger; a lifting outrigger attached to a hinge wherein the hinge connects the tower base and a tower for moving the tower between a raised position and a lowered position; a static cable connected between a distal end of the lifting outrigger and a hub attached to the tower; and, a lifting cable attached between the distal end of the lifting outrigger and a winch, wherein the winch is carried by the tower base.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a drilling rig comprising base structure; a hoisting device to raise drill pipe into a position in which the drill pipe is aligned with a bore axis of a well, the hoisting device connected to the base structure and including a hoisting cable and a mast, the mast having an operating side and a back side opposite the operating side, wherein the operating side of the mast is configured to accept the drill pipe; and a drawworks operatively connected to the mast via the hoisting cable, wherein the drawworks is closer to the operating side of the mast than to the back side of the mast. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: A method installs a wind turbine. The method provides an assembled turbine in a non-vertical orientation. The turbine includes a tower, and a nacelle coupled to blades at the top end of the tower. The blades define a strike zone when the turbine is assembled. The method forms a hinged connection adjacent to or at the bottom end of the tower. The hinged connection is configured so that the assembled turbine may be tilted upwardly about a pivot point of the hinge. The method also controls a force distribution fixture to apply a force to the tower about the pivot point of the hinged connection to tilt the tower upwardly. The fixture includes a tension member. The tension member is tensioned between the fixture and the strike zone. The tension member at least in part counteracts a bending moment caused by the weight of the assembled turbine during tilt-up.

Abstract: A method ships a wind tower by nesting a plurality of sections of the tower. The plurality of nested sections includes a radially outermost section. Each of the sections has a bottom end configured to be closer to a bottom of the tower, and a top end configured to be closer to a top of the tower. Each of the bottom ends has an internal flange and/or an external flange, and each of the top ends has the other of the internal flange and/or the external flange. The method mounts a removable force distribution fixture to the radially outermost section. The fixture suspends the radially outermost section to form a single shipping unit. The fixture is configured to distribute force along the tower when it is attached to a hinge and tilted up using a force generating member. The shipping unit is configured to ship as a single unit.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for removing and lifting of a blade pitch slewing ring bearing of a wind turbine after a blade from a rotor hub of the wind turbine is removed, is disclosed. The arrangement and method enables the lowering and lifting of the wind turbine without the need of large and heavy cranes so that the replacement can be carried out cost effectively. The arrangement includes a first pulley mounted at the bottom of the wind turbine, a second pulley mounted inside a rotor hub, a lifting line running over the first pulley, the second pulley and further over a third pulley mounted inside a carrier. The carrier supports the blade pitch slewing ring bearing during lifting and lowering which is achieved through a coordinated operation of a ground winch, the lifting line and tag lines. Further, rigging equipment is attached to the lowered blade pitch slewing ring bearing to enable easy transportation.

Abstract: The drilling rig includes a first substructure and a second substructure. The second substructure is positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the first substructure and generally the same height as the first substructure. The drilling rig further includes a drill floor coupled to the first and second substructures, where the drill floor positioned substantially at the top of the first and second substructures.

Abstract: A rapid personnel deployment/extraction rope assisting apparatus for an aircraft includes at least one deployment rope support assembly including a main support member adapted for installation in the aircraft, an assembly arm carried by the main support member and a rope securing mechanism carried by the assembly arm, the rope securing mechanism adapted to secure a rapid personnel deployment/extraction rope/cable to the assembly arm.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate a method and apparatus for a tower structure. In one embodiment, the tower structure comprises a first base plate comprising a first hinge device, a first structural section having a first side and a second side, the first structural section coupled to a second base plate comprising a second hinge device, a second structural section coupled to the first structural section, and an aerial component coupled to the second structural section, wherein the first structural section is rotatable relative to the first base plate in a first rotational axis, the second structural section is rotatable relative to the first structural section in a second rotational axis, and at least a portion of the second structural section is received in a channel formed in the first side of the first structural section when the first structural section and the second structural section are substantially parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bi-directionally raisable drilling rig mast system that includes a drilling rig mast having a bi-directional mast erection connection, a first erection connection positioned proximate a first side of a rig substructure, and a second erection connection positioned proximate a second side of the rig substructure, the second side being at an opposite side of the rig substructure from the first side. The system further includes at least one mast erection apparatus having an upper end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the bi-directional mast erection connection and a lower end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the first erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the first side of the substructure, the lower end being further adapted to be pivotably attached to the second erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the second side of the substructure.

Abstract: Methods for connection parts of a mast of a drilling rig without using a crane or other lifting machine are disclosed. In certain aspects, these methods include moving parts of a mast to be assembled with trucks and positioning the parts with the trucks to facilitate their connection. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a solar power tower includes a track, a cable, and a winch. The track extends longitudinally from the tower top to the tower base. The winch is located at the tower top and anchors the cable that extends toward the tower bottom adjacent the track. A component attached to the track and to the cable is guided along the track by the winch spooling or unspooling the cable.

Abstract: Mobile drilling rigs and methods for moving drilling rigs are disclosed which, in one aspect, include wheel assemblies connected to a rig which wheel assemblies are selectively movable from a rig drilling position to a rig movement position. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. In one aspect the apparatus generally includes a ginpole that is used to assemble the tower and a lifting frame or truss that is removably secured to a top bay assembly of the tower using the ginpole. The lifting frame or truss is operated using either cables or hydraulic rams and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground followed by the ginpole being lowered to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gin pole device for raising and lowering a tower that allows tension and length adjustments of the guy wires during tower erection to keep the tower as straight as possible, so that weight loads are equally distributed on the guy wires, thereby avoiding tower deformation.

Abstract: A rig system with a drawworks motor and a drawworks motor useful in systems for wellbore operations, the system in certain aspects including a rig, a derrick on the rig, a drawworks, the drawworks motor for powering the drawworks, the motor including a motor shaft, a plurality of power cables for providing electrical power to the motor, a portion of each of the plurality of power cables passing through the shaft, and a plurality of channels passing through the shaft adjacent the power cables and spaced-apart therefrom, the channels for the passage therethrough of a heat exchange fluid for the exchange of heat with the power cables to maintain the power cables at a desired temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting anchor sheets to each other and/or to a floor. The approach includes using attachment pieces which fit into an area of reduced thickness of the anchor sheet which surround a cut away of the anchor sheet. In one embodiment, the attachment pieces are corners which overlap areas of reduced thickness on a number of anchor sheets.

Abstract: An embodied mobile drilling rig is made of three sections, two substructures and a mast section, which are easily transported and installed at a drilling site. Each substructure includes a mast starting section; a floor side box connected to the mast starting section; a subbase side box; elevating legs connected to the floor side box and the subbase side box; and a raising cylinder. The mast section connects to the mast starting sections. The raising cylinders engage the mast in order to raise the mast into a vertical orientation and then raise the floor side boxes into an operating position. The embodied mobile drilling rigs are configurable to be transported by road with as little as three major loads, all within legal or permitable load and dimensional limits for most regions.

Abstract: A bracket connects a structural member to a structural element to stabilize the structural member against movement. The bracket includes connector portions for connecting the bracket to tensioned stabilizing cables or other structural stabilizing elements and one or more bearing elements which bear against the structural member to prevent relative rotational movement between the bracket and the structural member.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular post system including a plurality of modular post members 10, 20 which are inter-connectable to form a post structure 30. The modular post members include a plurality of front post members 10 and rear post members 20, which are generally elongate and are designed to be positioned and interconnected adjacent one another such that each of the front and rear modular post members extends in the same general direction and has a region of lap with an adjacent one of the post members. Each of the modular post members is adapted to interconnect with an adjacent post member in the lap region, each modular post member including connection means comprising a connecting element 12, 22 adapted for engagement with a complementary connecting element 22, 12 at the corresponding lap region of an adjacent post member.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improvement of ductility and strength performance of connections in structural steel buildings made typically with rolled structural shapes, specifically in bolted and/or welded beam-to-column connections with welded flanges, by greatly reducing the very significant uneven stress distribution found in the conventionally designed connection at the column/beam weld, through use of slots in column and/or beam webs with or without continuity plates in the area of the column between the column flanges, as well as, optionally, extended shear plate connections with additional columns of bolts for the purpose of reducing the stress concentration factor in the center of the flange welds. Moreover, the slots in beam web adjacent to the beam flanges allow the beam web and flange to buckle independently thereby eliminating the degrading of the beam strength caused by lateral-torsional bucking.

Abstract: A telescoping rig with an upper mast telescopingly received within a lower mast. A torque carrier is formed of an upper part suspended within the upper mast and a lower part attached to the lower mast. The lower part may be secured to the upper part when the rig is in operational position, and is movable to allow the upper mast to move into a telescoped position within the lower mast. The rig is readied for transport by disconnecting upper and lower parts of a torque carrier, moving the lower torque carrier laterally within the lower mast to allow the upper mast to telescope within the lower mast; and telescoping the upper mast within the lower mast.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a lifting structure having a crown and at least one traveling block, and an oil derrick having a crown bumper, wherein the safety apparatus comprises at least two support beams attached to crown of the lifting structure; a plate secured between the support beams; a bumper pad secured to the plate and adapted to be positioned at the crown of the lifting structure to cushion any impact with the traveling block if the traveling block is lifted towards the crown without stopping and the oil drilling rig apparatus, comprises: a derrick having a lower end for mounting on a platform, an upwardly projecting frame, and an upper, crown end; a traveling block suspended from the upper crown end within the derrick frame; drive means linked to the traveling block for driving the traveling block up and down the frame in a predetermined travel path; and a crown bumper comprising: at least two support beams attached to the derrick; a plate secured between said support beams; a bumper pad secured to the

Abstract: The Rapid Deployment Methodology for Architecture is in essence a streamlined building or production process, especially for tall architecture or large projects. It eliminates unnecessary delays and procedures, therefore boosting efficiency.

Abstract: A new Tilting Pole System for allowing an individual to quickly and easily perform maintenance upon an object conventionally supported by an elongated pole. The inventive device includes a lower pole, an upper pole pivotally secured to a top end of the lower pole by a hinge, a shaft rotatably projects within a capped end of the upper pole, and a fastener removably projects through a lower portion of the lower and the upper poles. The fastener is removed when tilting the upper pole with respect to the lower pole. The shaft secures a utility device such as an antenna, a flag, a satellite dish or a lamp. An electrical outlet is secured to the lower portion of the lower pole for providing electrical power to various electric tools in a remote area.

Abstract: A system for lowering and raising telecommunications equipment along a mast pole. The system comprises a mast pole, a platform means, a frame means, a plurality of lift cables, a hoisting means and a transition means. The platform means surrounds the external surface of the mast pole and is moveable along the length thereof. The platform means is arranged for mounting of telecommunications equipment thereon. The frame means is attached at the open upper end of the mast pole shaft and comprises pulley means, means for guiding at least one lift cable and means for guiding at least one telecommunications cable, i.e., signal cable or power cable. Each lift cable has a first end connected to the platform means and extends through the guiding means and through the passageway of the mast pole. The hoisting means is secured to the lower end of the mast pole and is provided for selectively raising and lowering the platform means. The pulley means includes a winch cable having a free end.

Abstract: A telescopic drilling derrick apparatus that is light for easy transportation and utilizes structure to enable the mast to be raised from a collapsed horizontal position to a vertical position while still in an unextended position and thereafter telescopically raising the mast to full vertical height.

Abstract: The crown block has two parallel clusters of sheaves. In one use the crown block is positioned such that the center of the derrick passes through the axle of one of the clusters and a power cable is threaded through the first cluster of the crown block and the cluster of the traveling block. When one wants to double the mechanical advantage, the crown block unit is shifted so that the center line of the derrick passes midway between the axle of the first cluster and the second cluster of the crown block. For this second use a modified traveling block is used which also has two parallel clusters of sheaves which corresponds to the two parallel clusters of sheaves of the crown block. The power cable is then threaded between the first clusters of the crown block and the traveling block and then through the second sheave cluster of the crown block and the second sheave cluster of the traveling block. The load is connected to a cross member between the two axles of the clusters of the traveling block.

Abstract: A drilling derrick assembly is described which provides for the elevation above ground level of the assembly's working floor which supports both the mast and the drawworks. Prior to erection, the elevatable equipment floor is carried on a supporting substructure, and a mast is pivotally connected to the elevatable floor in a reclining position. When the assembly is erected, the mast is pivotally raised and attached in place, and other rigging steps can be carried out. Through the use of an integrally mounted sling and winch assembly or, alternatively, through operation of the assembly's traveling block, the entire equipment floor is elevated to the desired level.

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 driling 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: A method and apparatus for erecting buildings is disclosed. The method involves providing frame elements of a building which may be made up of spaced columns connected together by a beam or beams which may meet at a gable. To erect the frames, each frame is disposed horizontally on the ground with bases of the columns attached by a hinge member to a footing. A spacer bar is supported with one end in a recess in the ground or attached to the frame. A tension member such as a cable is attached to the frame at the gable and is passed over the top end of the spacer post and a vehicle or other prime mover is attached to the tension member to pull the frame to erect position. Each of the hinge members may be made of a socket to attach to the base of a column and a shoe attached to a ground support footing. Each socket is hinged to the shoe by a forwardly facing slot that receives a pin on the socket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for erecting buildings is disclosed. The method involves providing frame elements of a building which may be made up of spaced columns connected together by a beam or beams which may meet at a gable. To erect the frames, each frame is disposed horizontally on the ground with bases of the columns attached by a hinge member to a footing. A spacer bar is supported with one end in a recess in the ground or attached to the frame. A tension member such as a cable is attached to the frame at the gable and is passed over the top end of the spacer post and a vehicle or other prime mover is attached to the tension member to pull the frame to erect position. Each of the hinge members may be made of a socket to attach to the base of a column and a shoe attached to a ground support footing. Each socket is hinged to the shoe by a fowardly facing slot that receives a pin on the socket.

Abstract: A pickup truck derrick assembly includes a base frame, a derrick A-frame pivotally mounted on the base frame, a derrick frame erection subassembly, a frame support and locking subassembly and a cable compensation system. In one form, the frame erection subassembly includes an elongated track. A roller or carriage subassembly rides on the track and engages the A-frame. Movement of the carriage along the track raises and lowers the A-frame. The A-frame is held in an erected position by support braces pivotally connected at one end to the base frame. Each brace slidably engages a sleeve mounted on the A-frame. A locking mechanism automatically secures the braces to the sleeves when the A-frame is erected. In another form, the erection subassembly includes lead screw actuators combined with the support braces to raise and lower the A-frame and lock the frame in position.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the height and level of a movable boom is disclosed. This mechanism includes a carrier member mountable for vertical pivotal movement about one end thereof, and a first actuator is provided for controlling the movement and position of the carrier member. A unitary member for supporting the boom in a cantilevered manner is also provided. The unitary support member is connected at the distal end of the carrier member for vertical pivotal movement. Finally, a second actuator is provided for controlling the vertical movement of the support member and boom relative to the carrier member, with the second actuator controlling the vertical level of the boom and the first actuator controlling the vertical height of the boom.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting electric line poles is disclosed which also enables a ground rod or stake to be driven into the ground next to such a pole. There is provided a telescopic mast having a hoist with a rope run over pulleys to a lifting hook and attached at the upper end of the mast. For driving in ground rods or stakes a carriage mounted for movement along the mast is used which can be attached to the lifting hook and can secure an air hammer.

Abstract: An erection hinge for use in erecting columns for open air structures utilizes a mounting plate which removably attaches to the foundation of such structures and which supports an offset hinge. The offset hinge carries a cradle which supports a column to be erected. A gin pole and rigging attached to the cradle or column translates simple linear force into a pivotal motion of the column and cradle on the hinge to position the column on its foundations.

Abstract: A cantilevered mast drilling rig is disclosed in which the erection operation for elevating the cantilevered mast and the drill rig floor to the elevated operating positions is a single step procedure. Both the cantilevered mast and the drill rig floor are completed on the ground prior to the elevating operation. The drill rig floor is pinned to the cantilevered mast so that, in response to actuation of the drawworks, the mast and drill rig floor are elevated to their operating positions as a single unit in a single operation.

Abstract: An attachment for a conventional ladder comprises first and second mounting arms, support arms and leg members arranged to present a cradle for receiving at least one bundle of shingles therein. Subsequent to insertion of the shingles into the cradle, the ladder is rotated about a pivot bar so as to swing the ladder and shingle-laden cradle between ground-adjacent and roof-adjacent positions. Upon reaching the latter position, a roof-adjacent worker removes the shingles from the cradle and the ladder is subsequently swung to a ground-adjacent, shingle loading positioning for subsequent loading of another bundle of shingles thereon. The process is repeated until the desired quantity of shingle bundles are loaded on the roof for subsequent installation thereon.

Abstract: A drilling mast and drawworks elevator are pivotally secured to a substructure support with a frame secured to the support and extending upwardly between the drilling mast and elevator support. A cable on a rotatable drum on the drawworks elevator extends from a traveling block in the drilling mast, around the drilling mast crown block, to a drum on the drawworks elevator, and a hook is suspended by the traveling block in the drilling mast. Sheaves are mounted adjacent the upper end of the frame. Mast raising sheaves are mounted in the drilling mast as are deflection sheaves, and a slingline equalizer is connected with the hook means, with sheaves positioned thereon.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for drilling deep boreholes in the earth, comprising a subbase structure, a drawworks platform supported on four legs hinged both to the subbase structure and to the drawworks platform and when in lowered position extends away from a first end of the subbase: A mast hinged to the sub-base structure by two legs and in the lowered position extends away from the second end of the sub-base; a pulling means has a sheave through which a slingline cable is passed, and the two ends of the cable are separately connected between the mast at a selected point, and a pulley mounted on the drawworks platform so that in one continuous pulling motion of the pulling means, the drawworks platform is first raised into vertical position, and then the mast is lifted until both parts are fully erected on the subbase.

Abstract: A well drilling apparatus includes a first swing-up elevator platform on which the mast structure is pivotally mounted. After the mast structure has been raised to its erect position, the first elevator platform is elevated to carry the mast structure to a high operational level. A second swing-up elevator platform is provided to carry the drawworks to the same high level at which the two elevator platforms are coupled together to form the working floor. All of the raising and elevating operations can be accomplished with power supplied by the drawworks. The elevator platforms may be lowered after the drilling operation has been accomplished without interfering with any control valve structures that have been placed on the wellhead while the structure was at its raised operational level; the swing-up elevator platforms swing down in opposite directions over any such valve structure.

Abstract: A drilling rig comprising a base; and an A-frame carried by the base. The A-frame has left and right hydraulic mast cylinders with pistons in the cylinders. The rig also has a mast pivoted on the base and capable of being raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The mast has left and right pads adapted to respectively contact the left and right mast pistons before the center of gravity of the mast passes a point directly above the axis of rotation of the mast. The rig also has drawworks adapted to raise the mast about its axis of rotation; and has a hydraulic control system comprising means for synchronizing the movement of the left mast piston with the right mast piston.

Abstract: Telescopable drilling mast means is transportable on and pivotally connected to a first trailer means. Setback tower means is pivotally connected to the drilling mast means and to the first trailer means.Second trailer means are provided with elevatable drawworks support means with drawworks, power source and rotary table thereon which elevatable drawworks support means is transportable on and pivotally mounted on the second trailer means.Means secure the first and second trailer means in end to end relation to position the drawworks support means and drilling mast means in longitudinal alignment, and load bearing means support the first and second trailer means in position on the earth's surface.

Abstract: Low level base means extend longitudinally on the earth's surface. Drilling mast support means are positioned adjacent and pivotally connected to the base means and setback tower means are pivotally connected to the mast support means and to the base means. Drilling mast means are secured to the mast support means. Lifting frame means are connected to the drilling mast support means whereby said drilling mast support means, mast connected thereto and setback tower means may be simultaneously elevated from a reclined position to an upright position on the base means. Cable means may be secured at one end to the lifting frame means and extended around sheave means on the base means over sheave means on the lifting frame means and under sheave means on the mast support means.

Abstract: A wrecker-hoist combination attachment for mounting on the bed of a truck includes an A-frame having one end supported by the truck bed and the upper apex supported by a support member connected between the apex of the A-frame and the truck bed. The A-frame includes a base bar with a pair of lower legs extending upwardly from and removably engaging the base bar. A midbrace removably engages the upper ends of the lower legs and receives the lower end of a pair of upper legs. A pulley assembly is removably engaged in a first position on the upper ends of the upper legs when the attachment is operated as a hoist. Alternatively, the pulley assembly is engageable in a second position on the upper end of the lower legs with the upper legs and midbrace removed for operation of the attachment as a wrecker. The support member is adjustable in length to support the upper end of the A-frame in both the first and second positions.

Abstract: Low level base means extend longitudinally on the earth's surface. Drilling mast support means are positioned adjacent and pivotally connected to the base means and setback tower means are pivotally connected to the mast support means and to the base means. Drilling mast means are secured to the mast support means. Lifting frame means are connected to the drilling mast support means whereby said drilling mast support means, mast connected thereto and setback tower means may be simultaneously elevated from a reclined position to an upright position on the base means. Cable means may be secured at one end to the lifting frame means and extended around sheave means on the base means over sheave means on the lifting frame means and under sheave means on the mast support means and then connected at its other end with any suitable power source to exert a pull on the cable and elevate the mast support, mast and setback tower to an upright position on the base means where the mast may be secured in upright position.

Abstract: A survey system employs a ground-based extendible mast so that survey instruments, such as cameras, mounted at the top of the mast can attain heights comparable to those of low-level aerial photography. The mast is mounted on a base structure that houses a self-contained power plant, including an internal combustion engine, electric batteries and means for compressing fluid and storing it in a pressurized state. The mast may be telescopic and also tiltable, and the instrument pack at the top may be controlled from ground level to move to selected attitudes, e.g. to pan and tilt.Simpler versions are described, omitting the power plant and adjustable entirely manually, and one system is carried by an operator rather than being ground based.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a maritime assembly comprising the steps of stabilizing a foundation raft alongside a quay, moving at least a part of an erect tower structure from the quay onto the foundation raft, securing the tower structure to the foundation raft, and floating the assembly so formed away from the quayside site. Additionally a particular method for fabricating a tower structure is described, and a particular foundation raft and a method of constructing such foundation raft are outlined. The method of the invention is not limited to particular method for fabricating the tower structure, or the particular foundation raft.

Abstract: An improved portable drilling rig for drilling deep boreholes in the earth, in which the mast is rotatable to a horizontal position at a small distance above the ground. The mast is of rectangular construction, with four corner columns, and four support legs. While the mast is supported in a vertical position with four shoes, it rotates about the two back supports.The mast is supported on two longitudinal stiffening members, of a U shape in cross-section. When the mast is lowered to a horizontal position, the front supporting columns drop below the top surface of the U shaped stiffening members and rest on the shallow bottom of the space between the two arms of the U. This puts the bottom of the mast within a foot or two above the ground, so that workmen may find it convenient to do work on the mast itself.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a drilling mast system which is adapted to be assembled section by section in a vertical position, as distinguished from the conventional method of raising a drilling mast by assemblying the mast in a horizontal position on the ground and then lifting the mast into a vertical position. The mast is made of a base section and a plurality of upper sections, each one adapted to be mounted on top of the one below it and fastened thereto. After the base section has been assembled on the foundation, the succeeding sections are assembled on the ground or are lifted in pieces and assembled in place on top of the previous section by means of a floating gin pole. The gin pole is supported inside of the mast by means of a plurality of basket cables.The sections of the mast are made of rectangular horizontal cross section. The floating gin pole extends above the top of the topmost assembled section, and can tilt to the outside of the mast, so as to lift section parts outside the mast.