U.S. patent number 3,853,196 [Application Number 05/474,233] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-10 for self-propelling mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sprague & Henwood, Incorporated. Invention is credited to George W. Guest.
United States Patent |
3,853,196 |
Guest |
December 10, 1974 |
SELF-PROPELLING MECHANISM
Abstract
A self-propelling mechanism for use with a skid mounted core
drilling apparatus is provided that includes a skid with a frame
carried core drilling apparatus slidably mounted thereon, a pair of
feet pivotedly secured to the core drilling apparatus selectively
engageable with the skid and hydraulically operated linkage
mechanism connecting the skid and the frame for self-propelling of
the skid.
Inventors: |
Guest; George W. (Benton Twp.,
County of Lackawanna, PA) |
Assignee: |
Sprague & Henwood,
Incorporated (Scranton, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
23882705 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/474,233 |
Filed: |
May 29, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/8.5;
180/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D
57/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62D
57/00 (20060101); B62d 057/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;180/4,8C,8D,8R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Friaglia; Leo
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wobensmith, 2nd; Zachary T.
Wobensmith, III; Zachary T.
Claims
I claim:
1. The combination of a core drilling mechanism mounted on a frame
slidably carried on a skid base, means for moving said mechanism
along said skid base, and means for moving the skid base along the
ground, comprising
a pair of arms pivotedly mounted to said slide frame on opposite
sides thereof and of a length to engage the ground,
fulcrum means carried by said arms for selective positioning in
active and inactive engagement with respect to said skid base,
and
ground engaging means carried by said arms, said fulcrum means when
in active engagement being responsive to movement of the slide
frame relative to the skid base to cause engagement of the arms
with the ground and lift and slidably support the skid base whereby
continuance of said relative movement advances the skid base
relative to ground.
2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which
said means for moving said frame is power operated
and
said power operated means is effective when said fulcrum means is
in said active engagement for moving said skid base along the
surface of the ground.
3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which
said arms are provided with elongated slots, and
pivot members are provided in engagement with said frame and in
said slots.
4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which
said arms are provided with handle portions.
5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which
said fulcrum means comprise retractible resiliently urged pins
carried in bosses on said arms.
6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which
said ground engaging means are feet pivotedly mounted to said arms
at end portions thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hydraulically operated mechanism for
self-propelling a skid and the apparatus carried thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been common practice to mount core drilling apparatus onto a
skid. The skid mounting provides a sturdy platform for drilling
which can be used in rough terrain or where heavy surface loading
could cause the apparatus to sink or mire down. The skids are
commonly moved by a tractor or truck which often becomes stuck and
is not suitable when it is desired to move the skid a limited
distance. It has also been proposed to move the skid by a sheave
and rope attached to the apparatus and to a nearby tree. Rollers
and pry bars are also sometimes used to move the skid. None of
these methods have proven wholly satisfactory for a variety of
reasons.
The core drilling apparatus is usually slidably mounted to the skid
and movable back and forth along its longitudinal axis a limited
distance by hydraulic cylinders mounted to the skid and the
apparatus frame.
The self-propelling mechanism of my invention provides for movement
of the skid without outside assistance forwardly or on a pivotal
axis about one of the skid runners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to self-propelling mechanism used in
conjunction with a skid mounted core drilling apparatus wherein a
pair of feet pivotedly secured to each runner of the skid are
actuated by the action of hydraulic cylinders connected between the
skid and core drilling apparatus frame for skid movement.
The principal object of the invention is to provide a
self-propelling mechanism which is entirely self contained.
A further object of the invention is to provide a self-propelling
mechanism which is fast and positive in its operation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a self-propelling
mechanism that is simple to construct and relatively free from
maintenance problems.
Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be
apparent from the description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be
more readily understood from the following description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus in accordance
with the invention illustrating the self-propelling mechanism in an
inactive position;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, enlarged, showing a
portion of the self-propelling mechanism in position for use;
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line
3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale illustrating
the self-propelling apparatus beginning to move the skid along the
ground;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the skid moved further
along the ground; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the skid in a position
where the self-propelling mechanism is fully extended.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and
drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various
modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus
therein illustrated includes a drag skid base 10 having runners 11
connected with end plates 12. The runners 11 are preferably
fabricated of structural steel I beams with top and bottom flanges
14 and 15 and a vertical connecting web or plate 16. The top
flanges 14 each has an upper surface 17 which carries flanges 19 of
beams 20 of slide frame 21. The flanges 19 are retained by plates
22 fastened to flanges 14 by bolts 23 and nuts 24 and are
restrained from transverse movement but may move along the flanges
14. The slide frame 21 has cross members (not shown) to retain the
beams 20 in fixed and spaced relation to each other.
A core drilling apparatus 30 of conventional type is carried by the
frame 21 and includes a drill head assembly 31 with vertically
movable drill rod head 32 connected to a transmission 33 which is
secured to a power plant 34 such as a diesel engine all carried on
and movable with the slide frame 21. The power plant 34 has a
hydraulic circuit associated with it which includes a pump and its
sump 40 with a manually operable control valve V providing a supply
of fluid under pressure with lines 41 and lines 42 connected to the
pump 40 and valve V and to opposite ends 43 and 44 of a pair of
hydraulic cylinders 45 with piston rods 46 connected to the
vertical plates 47 of beams 20 and at end 43 to plates 50 on the
runners 11 of skid base 10 to provide controlled back and forward
movement of the slide frame 21 along the skid base 10. The
hydraulic cylinders 45 are primarily used to move the drill head
assembly 31 to a convenient position to permit raising and lowering
of drilling tools and also for driving and withdrawal of casing to
and from the drilled hole. The hydraulic cylinders 45 are also
operated to move the frame 21 forward to drilling position as
desired and for self-propulsion as hereinafter explained.
The self-propelling mechanism includes two brackets 51 secured to
the slide frame 21 at or near the power plant 34. The brackets 51
each has an arm 52 pivotally secured thereto by pivot bolts 55
carried in elongated slots 56 in the arms 52 permitting the arms to
pivot about bolts 55 and move the length of the slots 56.
The arms 52 each has a handle portion 60, a main portion 61 which
has the slot 56 therein, and inwardly extending bosses 62 carrying
pins 63 which have springs 64 urging them inwardly towards the
center of the base 10. The pivot pins 63 each has an end 65, a
central portion 66 and a knob 67. The pivot pins 63 by retraction
against the force of the springs 64 and release can be positioned
above the plates 22 as in FIG. 1 in an inactive position or in an
inactive position below the flanges 14 to serve as fulcrums and
provide slidable support of the skid base.
The arms 52 at their ends opposite the handles 60 have a bolt 69
and nut 70 therethrough pivotedly connecting the arm to brackets 71
on feet 75.
The feet 75 are of a type suited to the terrain and for soft earth
can be of T-shape with a transverse bearing plate 76 to which the
brackets 71 are secured and a plate 77 secured to plate 76 on the
side opposite to brackets 71 for engagement with the earth.
The mode of operation will now be pointed out.
In normal use when the apparatus is at rest the arms 52 have their
pivot pins 63 extended inwardly and resting on top of the plate 22
holding the feet 75 above and out of engagement with the ground.
When it is desired to move the skid base 10 to a new location the
operator pulls out the pivot pins 63 against the springs 64 and
moves the arms 52 until the pivot pins are under the flanges 14
when the pins are released. Prior to movement of the base 10 the
cylinders 45 are in the retracted position as seen in FIGS. 2 and
4. To move base 10 fluid under pressure is supplied to the
cylinders 45 by pipes 41 and the piston rods 46 are advanced to the
left (FIG. 5) causing the frame 21 and thereby plates 77 of feet 75
to dig into the ground as arms 52 pivot about pins 63, the slots 56
accommodating angularity. Further movement of rods 46 and frame 21
to the left causes the skid base 10 to be lifted off the ground and
move forward pivoting about the pivot pins 63. When the rod 46 is
in fully extended position the pivot pins 63 are pulled out and
fluid pressure in cylinders 45 is reversed causing the slide frame
21 to move to the right to retracted position pulling the feet 75
out of ground engagement. The cycle can be repeated as desired.
If it is desired to turn the skid base 10 then the arm 52 on the
side to which the turn is desired is not moved to ground engaging
position but left with pivot pin 63 on top of plate 22 and the skid
base 10 will pivot by the action of the active arm 52 as the piston
rod 46 advances as described above.
It will thus be seen that self-propelling apparatus has been
described with which the objects of the invention are achieved.
* * * * *