U.S. patent application number 11/137052 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for handling apparatus.
Invention is credited to Little, Graham.
Application Number | 20050269133 11/137052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35446461 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050269133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Little, Graham |
December 8, 2005 |
Handling apparatus
Abstract
A handling apparatus comprising: a base unit; a first elongate
support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit; a second
elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit;
a head assembly for releasably retaining an elongate member, said
head assembly being supported, in use, by the first and second
elongate supports; wherein the first and second elongate supports
are pivotally coupled to the head assembly at respective second
ends thereof; and whereby the first and second elongate supports
can pivot relative to the base unit whilst remaining substantially
mutually parallel with at least part of the head unit maintained in
a substantially constant orientation.
Inventors: |
Little, Graham; (Aspley,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENKENS & GILCHRIST, PC
1445 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
35446461 |
Appl. No.: |
11/137052 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/52 ;
175/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/14 20130101;
E21B 19/155 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/052 ;
175/085 |
International
Class: |
E21B 019/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 4, 2004 |
AU |
2004903011 |
Claims
1. A handling apparatus comprising: a base unit; a first elongate
support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit; a second
elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit;
a head assembly for releasably retaining an elongate member, said
head assembly being supported, in use, by the first and second
elongate supports; wherein the first and second elongate supports
are pivotally coupled to the head assembly at respective second
ends thereof; and whereby the first and second elongate supports
can pivot relative to the base unit whilst remaining substantially
mutually parallel with at least part of the head unit maintained in
a substantially constant orientation.
2. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and
second supports are substantially co-planar.
3. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and
second supports are, in use, provided in a substantially vertical
plane.
4. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is
provided a driving mechanism for forcing the first and second
supports to pivot relative to the base unit.
5. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the driving
mechanism can force one of the first and second supports, which in
turn forces the other support.
6. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head
assembly comprises a first head portion which is pivotally coupled
to the second ends of the first and second supports.
7. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the head
assembly further comprises a second head portion which is
selectively orientable relative to the first head portion.
8. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein there is
provided a driving mechanism for orientating the second head
portion relative to the first head portion.
9. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second
head portion supports one or more clamping mechanisms for clamping
onto an elongate member.
10. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the one or
each clamping mechanism comprises a pair of jaws.
11. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handling
apparatus is for handling elongate members which are drill
rods.
12. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handling
apparatus comprises at least one pair of jaws for gripping an
elongate member to be handled, said pair of jaws being operable
between a more open configuration and a more closed configuration
by a driven member moveable between a first position and a second
position, wherein the relative motion of the jaws between the more
open configuration and the more closed configuration is
substantially in a plane, and the direction of movement of the
driven member between the first and second positions is
substantially perpendicular to said plane.
13. A handling apparatus for handling elongate members comprising:
a base unit; at least one support member extending from the base
unit, the at least one support member being pivotally attached to
the base unit towards a first end of said at least one support
member; and a head assembly comprising a retaining mechanism for
releasably retaining elongate members; wherein the head assembly
includes a first link for attachment between the at least one
support member and the retaining mechanism, said first link being
pivotably coupled with respect to the retaining mechanism and the
at least one support member.
14. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
handling apparatus further comprises a second link between the
first link and the retaining mechanism, said second link being
pivotally coupled to the first link and the retaining
mechanism.
15. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein there are
provided at least two support members, each pivotally coupled to
the base unit and each pivotally coupled to the first link.
16. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the at
least two support members are arranged to remain substantially
mutually parallel during use of the apparatus.
17. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein a locking
mechanism for preventing pivotal movement of the second link
relative to the first link is provided.
18. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the locking
mechanism comprises a locking member adapted to prevent relative
movement of adjacent portions of the first and second links.
19. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
apparatus further comprises a support driving mechanism for forcing
relative pivotal movement of the at least one support and the base
unit.
20. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the
apparatus further comprises a retaining-mechanism driving mechanism
for forcing relative pivotal movement of the retaining mechanism
relative to the at least one support.
21. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the
retaining-mechanism driving mechanism comprises a first driving
element for forcing relative pivotal movement of the second link
relative to the first link, and a second driving element for
forcing relative pivotal movement of the retaining mechanism
relative to the second link.
22. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least
one pair of jaws is provided to grip elongate members.
23. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the base
unit is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.
24. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the base
unit is provided with a frame or track along which it can be moved
laterally.
25. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
handling apparatus further comprises at least one pair of jaws for
gripping an elongate member to be handled, said pair of jaws being
operable between a more open configuration and a more closed
configuration by a driven member moveable between a first position
and a second position, wherein the relative motion of the jaws
between the more open configuration and the more closed
configuration is substantially in a plane, and the direction of
movement of the driven member between the first and second
positions is substantially perpendicular to said plane.
26. A handling apparatus which includes at least one pair of jaws
for gripping an elongate member to be handled; wherein said at
least one pair of jaws is operable between a more open
configuration and a more closed configuration by a driven member
which can be moved between a first position and a second position;
and wherein the jaws operate substantially in a plane, and the
direction of movement of the driven member between the first
position and the second position is substantially perpendicular to
said plane.
27. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein the
handling apparatus comprises at least two pairs of jaws which
operate in substantially parallel planes.
28. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein the driven
member is driven by fluid pressure.
29. A handling apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein the driven
member is part of a piston assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a handling apparatus and
especially but not exclusively to a handling apparatus for drill
rods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are a number of difficulties associated with powered
equipment for handling drill rods, including lack of space at some
mast locations, adequately accurately orientating the drill rods
for insertion into a drill string or placement on a drill rod
stand, and stable and secure handling of drill rods of considerable
length and mass.
[0003] It would be desirable if at least preferred embodiments of
at least some aspects of the invention could mitigate one or more
of these difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a handling apparatus comprising:
[0005] a base unit;
[0006] a first elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to
the base unit;
[0007] a second elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end
to the base unit;
[0008] a head assembly for releasably retaining an elongate member,
said head assembly being supported, in use, by the first and second
elongate supports;
[0009] wherein the first and second elongate supports are pivotally
coupled to the head assembly at respective second ends thereof;
and
[0010] whereby the first and second elongate supports can pivot
relative to the base unit whilst remaining substantially mutually
parallel with at least part of the head unit maintained in a
substantially constant orientation.
[0011] Preferably the first and second supports are substantially
co-planar.
[0012] Preferably the first and second supports are, in use,
provided in a substantially vertical plane.
[0013] Preferably there is provided a driving mechanism for forcing
the first and second supports to pivot relative to the base
unit.
[0014] The driving mechanism may force one of the first and second
supports, which in turn forces the other support.
[0015] The head preferably includes a first head portion which is
pivotally coupled to the second ends of the first and second
supports.
[0016] The head preferably includes a second head portion which is
selectively orientable relative to the first head portion.
[0017] Preferably there is provided a driving mechanism for
orientating the second head portion relative to the first head
portion.
[0018] The second head portion preferably supports one or more
clamping mechanisms for clamping onto an elongate member.
[0019] Preferably the one or each clamping mechanism comprises a
pair of jaws.
[0020] Preferably the handling apparatus is for handling elongate
members which are drill rods.
[0021] Preferably the handling apparatus further comprises at least
one pair of jaws for gripping an elongate member to be handled,
said pair of jaws being operable between a more open configuration
and a more closed configuration by a driven member moveable between
a first position and a second position, wherein the relative motion
of the jaws between the more open configuration and the more closed
configuration is substantially in a plane, and the direction of
movement of the driven member between the first and second
positions is substantially perpendicular to said plane.
[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a handling apparatus for handling elongate members
comprising:
[0023] a base unit;
[0024] at least one support member extending from the base unit,
the at least one support member being pivotally attached to the
base unit at a first end of said at least one support member;
and
[0025] a head assembly comprising a retaining mechanism for
releasably retaining elongate members;
[0026] wherein the head assembly includes a first link for
attachment between the at least one support member and the
retaining mechanism, said first link being pivotably coupled with
respect to the retaining mechanism and the at least one support
member.
[0027] Preferably the handling apparatus further comprising a
second link between the first link and the retaining mechanism,
said second link being pivotally coupled to the first link and the
retaining mechanism.
[0028] Provision of serial first and second links between the
support member and the retaining mechanism helps provide a wide
range of possible orientations for the retaining mechanism relative
to the at least one support member facilitating capture of elongate
members in a wide range of orientations.
[0029] Preferably there are provided at least two support members,
each pivotally coupled to the base unit.
[0030] Preferably the at least two support members are pivotally
coupled to the first link member.
[0031] Preferably the at least two support members are arranged to
remain substantially mutually parallel during use of the
apparatus.
[0032] A locking mechanism for preventing pivotal movement of the
second link relative to the first link may be provided.
[0033] The locking mechanism may comprise a locking member adapted
to prevent relative movement of adjacent portions of the first and
second links.
[0034] The said adjacent portions of the first and second links are
preferably spaced apart from the pivotable coupling of the first
and second links.
[0035] The said adjacent portions of the first and second links may
define respective apertures.
[0036] The locking member may be adapted to be retained in said
apertures.
[0037] The apparatus preferably further comprises a support driving
mechanism for forcing relative pivotal movement of the at least one
support and the base unit.
[0038] The apparatus preferably further comprises a
retaining-mechanism driving mechanism for forcing relative pivotal
movement of the retaining mechanism relative to the support.
[0039] The retaining-mechanism driving mechanism preferably
comprises a first driving element for forcing relative pivotal
movement of the second link relative to the first link, and a
second driving element for forcing relative pivotal movement of the
retaining mechanism relative to the second link.
[0040] The driving mechanisms and/or driving elements preferably
comprise hydraulic pistons. However, as an alternative, other
driving mechanisms or elements could be used as one or more driving
mechanisms and/or elements.
[0041] The retaining mechanism preferably comprises an elongate
frame.
[0042] Preferably, in use, the elongate frame is adapted to be at a
fixed angle relative to an elongate member being retained by the
retaining mechanism.
[0043] Preferably, in use, the elongate frame is adapted to be
substantially parallel to an elongate member being retained by the
retaining mechanism.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment which includes first and second
supports, adapted to remain substantially mutually parallel, the
second link may be pivotally locked relative to the first link, and
the orientation of the first link is maintained constant during
pivoting of the support members due to the four-bar linkage formed
by the base unit, support members and first link. This means that
the orientation of the second link is constant even when the second
link, and the retaining mechanism, are being moved laterally
relative to the base unit. Thus, the orientation of the elongate
frame of the retaining mechanism is determined by the relative
orientation of the elongate frame and the second link. Thus one or
more stops or limiters may be provided on the second link to define
the extremes of the orientation of the elongate frame. This can be
of considerable utility since in, for example, a situation where
elongate members are to be picked up from a rack where they are to
be provided by the apparatus at 30 degrees to the vertical, the
steps or limiters can be set to define appropriate angles of the
elongate frame. This helps eliminate operator error and greatly
facilitates handling elongate members.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment at least one pair of jaws is
provided to grip elongate members.
[0046] The jaws are preferably moveable parallel to the elongate
frame. This allows proper positioning of elongate members in, for
example, a preferred embodiment in which the height at which the
elongate frame is positioned varies as the elongate frame is moved
laterally towards or away from the base unit.
[0047] Preferably the base unit is rotatable.
[0048] Preferably the base unit is rotatable about a substantially
vertical axis.
[0049] Preferably the base unit is provided with a frame or track
along which it can be moved laterally.
[0050] Preferably the handling apparatus further comprises at least
one pair of jaws for gripping an elongate member to be handled,
said pair of jaws being operable between a more open configuration
and a more closed configuration by a driven member moveable between
a first position and a second position, wherein the relative motion
of the jaws between the more open configuration and the more closed
configuration is substantially in a plane, and the direction of
movement of the driven member between the first and second
positions is substantially perpendicular to said plane.
[0051] It will be understood that the base unit may include two or
more parts without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example providing first and second parts which might be considered
to be separate base units, with a first elongate support coupled to
the "first" base unit and a second elongate support coupled to the
"second" base unit is an option that should be considered to fall
within the scope of the first and second aspects, and of the claims
relating to these aspects.
[0052] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided a handling apparatus which includes at least one pair
of jaws for gripping an elongate member to be handled;
[0053] wherein said at least one pair of jaws are operable between
a more open configuration and a more closed configuration by a
driven member which can be moved between a first position and a
second position;
[0054] and wherein the jaws operate substantially in a plane, and
the direction of movement of the driven member between the first
position and the second position is substantially perpendicular to
said plane.
[0055] Preferably the handling apparatus comprises at least two
pairs of jaws.
[0056] Preferably said at least two pairs of jaws operate in
substantially parallel planes.
[0057] Preferably the driven member is connected to at least one
jaw of a pair of jaws by a link assembly.
[0058] The driven member may be driven by fluid pressure.
[0059] The driven member may be part of a piston assembly.
[0060] The driven member may be part of a hydraulic piston
assembly.
[0061] The axis of the piston is preferably substantially
perpendicular to the plane in which the jaws operate.
[0062] The link assembly preferably connects the driven member to
each of the jaws of a pair of jaws.
[0063] The link assembly is preferably arranged so that as the part
of the driven member which is attached to the link assembly is
moved away from the plane of the jaws, at least one part of the
link assembly is drawn towards a centreline of the jaw assembly.
Thus the jaws may be forced together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0064] Preferred embodiments of aspects of the present invention
will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0065] FIG. 1 is a side view of a handling apparatus, in the form
of a drill rod handler, in a first position;
[0066] FIG. 2 is a side view of the drill rod handler of FIG. 1
positioned to take a drill rod from an inclined mast;
[0067] FIG. 3 is an enlargement showing the drill rod handler as
shown in FIG. 2;
[0068] FIG. 4 is a side view of the drill rod handler of FIGS. 1 to
3 stacking a first drill rod in a rod stacking frame;
[0069] FIG. 5 is an enlargement of the drill rod handler as shown
in FIG. 4;
[0070] FIG. 6 is a side view of the drill rod handler of FIGS. 1 to
5 stacking a rod in a stacking frame which is almost full;
[0071] FIG. 7 is an enlargement of the drill rod handler as shown
in FIG. 6;
[0072] FIG. 8 is a side view of the drill rod handler arranged and
positioned to pick up a substantially horizontal drill rod;
[0073] FIG. 9 is a side view corresponding to a short time after
the rod handler of FIG. 8 has picked up the drill rod, illustrating
how the handler and rod have moved;
[0074] FIG. 10 is a side view corresponding to a short time after
the position shown in FIG. 9 has occurred, and illustrating the
handler having moved the drill rod to a vertical orientation for
loading into a rotation head;
[0075] FIG. 11 is an enlargement of the drill rod handler as shown
in FIG. 10;
[0076] FIG. 12 is a side view of a drill rod handler about to be
used for taking drill rods from a vertical mast and placing them in
a rod stacking frame;
[0077] FIG. 13 is a side view of the drill rod handler engaging a
vertical drill rod at a vertical mast;
[0078] FIG. 14 is an enlargement of the drill rod handler as shown
in FIG. 13;
[0079] FIG. 15 is a side view of the drill rod handler having moved
a drill rod from the vertical mast to an empty rod stacking
frame;
[0080] FIG. 16 is an enlargement of the drill rod handler as shown
in FIG. 15;
[0081] FIG. 17 is a side view of the drill rod handler placing a
drill rod in the frame shown in FIG. 15, when the frame is almost
full;
[0082] FIG. 18 is an enlargement of the drill rod handler as shown
in FIG. 17;
[0083] FIG. 19 is a side elevation of part of a handling apparatus,
in the form of a drill rod handler, showing a retaining mechanism
including two pairs of jaws for gripping a drill rod;
[0084] FIG. 20a is a plan view of a pair of jaws, and corresponding
operating mechanism, of the mechanism of FIG. 19 in an open
configuration;
[0085] FIG. 20b is a side view of the operating mechanism for the
jaws in the configuration shown in FIG. 20a;
[0086] FIG. 21a is a plan view of a pair of jaws and corresponding
operating mechanism in a more closed configuration; and
[0087] FIG. 21b is a side view of the operating mechanism for the
jaws in the configuration shown in FIG. 21a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0088] With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a
handling apparatus in the form of a drill rod handler, generally
designated 100, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 in a configuration
suitable for, and in the stages of taking drill rods 70 (one at a
time) from an inclined mast 75 and stacking the drill rods in a rod
stacking frame 80.
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, and with particular reference to
FIG. 1, the drill rod handler 100 comprises a base 102 and first
and second support members in the form of respective first and
second arms 104, 204. The arms 104, 204 are pivotally attached to
the base 102 at their respective first ends 106, 206 and are
pivotally attached to a first link in the form of an elevator frame
110, at their respective second ends 108, 208. The pivotal
attachments of the arms 104, 204 are spaced apart appropriately,
and the arms 104, 204 are dimensioned so that the arms remain
parallel in use, and consequently the orientation of the elevator
frame 110 remains constant in use, irrespective of changes in the
angle of elevation of the arms 104,204.
[0090] Providing two parallel arms provides greater load bearing
capacity than would a single arm, and allows long rods to be
handled.
[0091] The arms 104, 204 can be moved by a driving mechanism in the
form of first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 130. The first
hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the base 102 at a first
end 122 thereof and is pivotally attached to a first end 142 of a
floating support 140 at the second end 124 of the first hydraulic
cylinder 120. The first end 132 of the second hydraulic cylinder
130 is attached to the first end 142 of the floating support 140,
and the second end 134 of the second hydraulic cylinder 130 is
attached to the first arm 104. The second end 144 of the floating
support 140 is pivotally attached to the base 102. Retracting of
one or both of the hydraulic cylinders 120, 130 pulls the arms 104,
204 and elevator frame 110 into a more elevated position, so that
the elevator frame is laterally relatively close to the base
102.
[0092] The elevator frame 110 is pivotally attached to a second
link member in the form of a loader tilt arm 150, by a pivot
arrangement 152. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, the
elevator frame 110 and the loader tilt arm 150 can be prevented
from relative pivotal movement by insertion of a locking insert pin
154 which passes through coaxially aligned apertures in the
elevator frame 110 and the loader tilt arm 150.
[0093] The loader tilt arm 150 is pivotally attached to an elongate
frame in the form of a loader head frame 160. The loader head frame
is provided with first and second sets of jaws 162, 164, which are
spaced apart by a spacer 166. A head cylinder 168 is operable to
move the spacer 166 and jaws 162, 164 along the loader head frame
160.
[0094] A third hydraulic cylinder 170 is provided for driving
relative pivotal movement of the elevator frame 110 and the loader
tilt arm 150 (although it cannot be effectively operated while the
locking insert pin 154 is in position).
[0095] A fourth hydraulic cylinder 180 is provided to drive
relative pivotal movement of the loader tilt arm 150 and the loader
head frame 160.
[0096] As the orientation of the elevator frame 110 (in the plane
of the arms 104,204) is constant during use, when the locking
insert pin 154 is in position, the orientation of the loader tilt
arm 150 is also constant, so the orientation of the loader head
frame 160 can be determined by the fourth cylinder 180 which can
control the orientation of the loader head frame relative to the
loader tilt arm 150. Adjustable stops or rotation limiters 182, 184
are provided on the loader tilt arm 150 to allow desired extremes
of orientation of the loader head frame 160 to be preset prior to
use of the rod handler 100.
[0097] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the rod handler 100 can be used to
take rods from an inclined mast 75 of any of a wide range of angles
of inclination--about 45 degrees to 90 degrees for the illustrated
embodiment--and place them in the rod stacking frame 80.
[0098] The base 102 is pivotable about a vertical axis by a
hydraulic motor 190 and is moveable laterally along a track
structure 193 upon which it is mounted, by a transverse motor 195,
so as to be able to allow the rod handler to access both the mast
75 and the rod stacking frame 80.
[0099] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7 the fourth cylinder 180 is
retracted so that the loader head 160 comes into contact with the
stop 182 which is adjusted prior to use to provide the correct
orientation of the loader head 160 to stack a rod in a stacking
frame with a given known racking angle.
[0100] As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3 the fourth cylinder 180 can
be extended so that the loader head 160 comes into contact with the
stop 184 which is adjusted prior to use to provide the correct
orientation of the loader head 160 to correspond to the orientation
of the mast 75.
[0101] Use of the adjustable stops 182,184 thus allows rods 70 to
be moved between a mast 75 and a stacking frame 80 without
requiring an operator to exercise great skill in orienting the
loader head to the correct rod orientation for each rod.
[0102] Although as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the orientation of, for
example, the loader tilt arm 150 remains constant, it will be
appreciated that its elevation changes as the orientation of the
arms 104 varies. This can be compensated by using the head cylinder
168 to alter the elevation of the jaws 162, 164 relative to the
loader head frame 160, as can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 5
and 7.
[0103] FIGS. 8 to 11 show the rod handler 100 being used for
loading drill rods 70 from a stack in which they are orientated
horizontally, and operating to load them into a vertical rotation
head. The important difference between this operation and the
operation illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 is that in order to pick up
horizontal rods the locking insert pin 154 is removed. This allows
the loader tilt arm 150 to be pivoted relative to the elevator
frame 110 by the third cylinder 170, providing a greater range of
movement of the loader head frame 160. Apertures 150a, 110a which
were (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7) held together by the insert
locking pin 154, have been moved apart as shown in FIG. 8.
[0104] The operations involved in loading drill rods 70 from a
stack in which they are orientated horizontally, and operating to
load them into a vertically orientated rotation head are
illustrated by and explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. It is
perhaps worth noting that because the fourth cylinder 180 can be
locked in a predetermined position (using needle valves in a
preferred embodiment), the loader head frame 160 is locked in a
predetermined position relative to the loader tilt arm 150, and
orientation of the loader head frame 160 and rod 70 are determined
by operation of the third cylinder 170.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 8, the third cylinder 170 is retracted,
corresponding to the loader head frame 160 being in a horizontal
orientation.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 9 the third cylinder is partially extended
to rotate the loader head frame 160 into an inclined orientation,
and at the same time the first and second cylinders 120,130 are
retracted to elevate the elevator frame 110, loader tilt arm 150
and loader head frame 160.
[0107] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the motor 190 rotates the arms
104,204, elevator frame 110, loader tilt arm 150 and head frame
160, typically 180 degrees about a vertical axis to move the rod 70
to the mast. Simultaneously the third cylinder continues to extend,
until (in this example) the drill rod 70 is vertical, and the first
and second cylinders 120,130 continue to retract to elevate the rod
and adjust the horizontal distance between the rod 70 and the base
102.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 11 the rod 70 can be lowered by operation
of the head cylinder 168.
[0109] FIGS. 12 to 18 show the rod handler 100 being used for
taking rods from a vertical mast 75a and placing them in a rod
stacking frame 80. Similarly to the situation shown in FIGS. 1 to
7, the insert locking pin 154 is used to pivotally lock the loader
tilt arm 150 and the elevator frame 110, and prevent operation of
the third cylinder 170. The upper stop 182 can be used to preset
the vertical rod position, and the lower stop 184 to preset the
angle for racking. The operations involved in taking rods from a
vertical mast and placing them in a rod stacking frame are
illustrated by and explained with reference to FIGS. 12 to 18.
[0110] The operations are not dissimilar from those described with
reference to FIG. 1 to 8. FIG. 12 shows the rod handler 100 in the
same configuration as in FIGS. 15 and 16, but, for clarity, without
the vertical mast 75a or rod stacking frame 80.
[0111] With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 the fourth cylinder 180 is
retracted until the loader head frame 160 (and the rod 70) is
vertical, a position which is determined by previous adjustment of
upper stop 182. This orients the loader head frame for removal of a
rod 70 from the vertical mast 75a.
[0112] As shown in FIGS. 12, 15 and 16, the fourth cylinder 180 is
extended until the loader head frame 160 contacts the lower stop
184, which has been preset to give the correct angle for
racking.
[0113] The transverse motor 195 is used to move the rod handler 100
between the mast and the rod stacking frame 80.
[0114] It will be appreciated from the description above how
operation of the first and second cylinders 120,130 and head
cylinder 168 effects the elevation and reach of the arms 104,204,
loader head frame 160 and rod 170, so that the rod handler can
stack rods 70 onto a rod stacking frame which is empty (as in FIGS.
15 and 16) or substantially full (as in FIGS. 17 and 18).
[0115] FIG. 19 shows the loader head frame 160, head cylinder 168,
and jaws 162, 164 in more detail.
[0116] FIGS. 20a to 21b illustrate how the jaws 162 are operated.
The jaw arrangement 162 is designed to be compact in order to allow
access to rods when, for example, there is a rod close to either
side of the rod it is desired to pick up using the jaws 162.
[0117] Each of the first and second jaw elements 220, 240 of the
pair of jaws is mounted to a respective first or second jaw holder
228, 248, by jaw pins 222. This allows easy replacement of the
vulnerable jaw elements 220, 240. Each jaw holder 228, 248 is
pivotably mounted to a mounting plate 227, via an insert 230, such
that pivoting of the jaw holders 228, 248 allows the jaws to open
or close. The jaws are operable by a hydraulic cylinder 201 which
passes between the jaw holders 228, 248, in order to provide a
compact configuration. The hydraulic cylinder 201 is attached at
each of its ends 202 to a pair of plate links 209, and respective
first and second plate links 209 of each pair are attached to the
first and second jaw holders 228, 248. When the cylinder 201 is
extended, or stroked out, as shown in FIGS. 21a and 21b, the distal
ends of the first and second plate links 209 of each pair are
forced away from each other, and the ends of the plate links 209
which are attached to first and second jaw holders 228, 248 are
consequently pulled in towards the axis of the cylinder 201, thus
clamping the jaws. It is desirable to have the cylinder aligned
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the jaws in order to
keep the jaw arrangement compact and help avoid the cylinder
obstructing access by the jaws to objects to be grasped. In order
to balance forces within the mechanism, the cylinder 201 is able to
float through bushes 232 provided in the mounting plate 227. The
cylinder contains a spring to bias it to its extended position, so
the jaws are closed, or kept closed in the event of a hydraulics
failure. It will be appreciated that hydraulic retraction of the
cylinder, as shown in FIGS. 20a and 20b, will cause the jaws to
open allowing release of an object held.
[0118] It will be appreciated that in some contexts (such as, for
example, the following claim 1) the head assembly may be considered
to include (but is not limited to embodiments including) the loader
tilt arm 150 and the elevator frame 110 or links that have at least
some functions in common with those elements.
[0119] This application claims priority from Australian Provisional
Application No. 2004903011 the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0120] Modification and improvements may be made to the described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as
claimed.
[0121] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge
in the art, in Australia or in any other country.
[0122] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *