US3175626A - Drill carrier - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1965 E. M MpLLE 3,175,626

DRILL CARRIER Filed May 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fdn/a/v L. McMM/e March 30, 1965 E. MOMULLEN 3,175,626

DRILL CARRIER Filed May 2. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i INVENTOR. /44 g; 24 Edward A. Mc/i/M/e 3,175,626 DRILL CARRIER .Edward L. McMullen, Kansas City, Mo., assignor of onehalf to Contractors Supply Co., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed May 2, 1962, Ser. No. 191,856 Claims. (Cl. 173-22) This invention relates to a carrier for transporting a drill unit for use in mining operations and, more particularly, to a means for manipulating the drill unit at the site of operations thereof.

It is the common practice in underground mining operations to dislodge the ore-containing or other deposits in the mine by blasting with an explosive compound,

such as dynamite. To this end, a plurality of holes are the mine in the usual manner.

Heretofore, means for drilling holes of the abovedescribed character included an elongated drill unit mounted in a manner to be elevated to a predetermined height and to be rotated between narrow limits about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and intermediate the ends of the drill unit. Although such drill units mounted in the above described manner have proven successful to a certain degree, the same are restricted to drilling operations in only a limited area of the face of the deposit without movement of the carrier for the drill and thereby requiring the mounting means to be constantly shifted parallel to the face so as to permit drilling of holes in the entire area of the vertical face of the rock or ore deposit for the proper emplacement of the explosive. Further, since it is sometimes desirable to drill the holes at predetermined angles relative to the face so as to vary the disintegration or dislodgement pattern of the deposit or rock, the drill units mounted as set forth above are limited to angular manipulation between limits of relatively small angles due to the construction of the -mounting means so that the latter must, of necessity, be

additionally shifted relative to the face so as to properly position the drill unit for angular drilling operations.

The present invention circumvents the problems presented by the use of the mounting means described above by providing a carrier for a drilling unit which permits the latter to cover an area of the face of the deposit greater in extent than that covered by means heretofore known so as to preclude the constant shifting of the carrier to position the drill unit for proper alignment with the entire face of the deposit. Further, the present invention provides means thereon for permitting the drill unit to be angularly disposed relative to the face of the deposit over considerably wider limits than heretofore known to thereby preclude the shifting of the carrier parallel to the face to properly position the drill unit for angular drilling operations.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a carrier for a drilling unit for drilling a plurality of holes in the face of an ore-containing deposit, wthich carrier permits the drill unit to be manipulated over a wide area of the face whereby the holes may be properly drilled in the latter without having to constantly shift the carrier parallel to the face to cover the entire area thereof.

Another important object of the present invention is the United States Patent provision of a carrier for a drilling unit which permits the latter to drill a plurality of holes in the face of a deposit which are angularly disposed relative to the face over 3,175,626 Patented Mar. 30, 1965 "ice wide limits so as to preclude the constant shifting of the carrier parallel to the face so as to properly position the drill unit for angular drilling operations.

Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a carrier for a drill unit for boring a plurality of holes in the face of a deposit which carrier is provided with means for swinging the drill unit in a vertical arc to .properly position the latter relative to the face between wider limits than heretofore known.

Yet another important object of this invention is the provision of a carrier having a frame and a pair of relatively shiftable tubes swingably mounted on the frame and secured to opposite extremities of an elongated drill unit, whereby the latter may assume a plurality of angular positions as the same is being elevated to a predetermined height relative to the frame.

Other important objects of the present invention include the provision of an elongated frame including a pair of spaced beams swingably mounting the relatively shiftable tubes, whereby the tubes may be disposed between the beams and permitted to swing in a substantially vertical are as the same carry the drill unit in an operative position; the provision of independently operable, spaced, ground-engaging wheels secured to the spaced side beams of the frame, whereby the frame may be shiftable about a vertical axis between the beams or spaced from the frame; the provision of an elongated shaft secured to the side beams of the frame and swingably mounting the relatively shiftable tubes whereby the extremities of the tubes secured to the shaft are spaced from the beams and at a point to permit the tubes to be rotatable about the shaft by means mounted on the frame; the provision of power-actuated means within the relatively shiftable tubes for shifting one of the tubes relative to the other tube whereby to rotate the drill unit about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof; and to the provision of extension means on one of the ground-engaging wheels secured to the frame and extending outwardly from the latter whereby the frame and thereby the drill unit may be rotated about a vertical axis spaced from the frame.

Other important objects of the present invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the instant invention illustrating the coupling therewith of a conventional drill unit having a longitudinally shiftable drilling element forming a part thereof, portions of the instant invention being shown in dashed lines to illustrate the position thereof when the drill unit is in an angular operative position;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, the dashed lines illustrating the conventional drill unit coupled therewith in an angular operative position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating in dashed lines a pair of operative positions of the relatively shiftable tubes forming a part of the instant invention, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional side elevational view of the relatively shiftable tubes forming a part of the drill carrier which is the subject of the present invention and which is adapted to be operably coupled to an elongated drill unit, the view being taken along line 4-4 of HG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the connection between one of the tubes of FIG. 4 with the frame also forming a part of the instant invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, perspective view of the structure for interconnecting the frame with an elongated shaft rotatably mounting one of the tubes of FIG. 4.

The drill carrier which is the subject of this invention is broadly denoted by the numeral and comprises a frame 12, a pair of spaced, ground-engaging, rotatable wheels 14 and 16, interconnecting structure 18 securing frame 12 to wheels 14 and 16 for transporting frame 12 over a surface 20, such as the floor of a mine, and shiftable structure 22 carried by an elongated shaft 24 secured to interconnecting structure 18 below the axles of wheels 14 and 16. Shiftable structure 22 is operably coupled with a conventional drill unit 26 adapted for drilling a plurality of elongated holes in the face of an ore-containing deposit in a mine. Drill unit 26, which forms no part of the present invention, includes a bit bushing tip 28 operably coupled to an elongated steel 30, the latter connected to a rock hammer device 32 for rotating bit bushing tip 28 about the longitudinal axis of steel 30. A cylinder 34 having a piston (not shown) therein is provided for advancing bit bushing tip 28 longitudinally as the same rotates and to this end, the piston is connected to an elongated rod 36 coupled to an arm 38, the latter being attached to rock hammer device 32 for reciprocating steel and thereby bit bushing tip 28 responsive to the reciprocation of rod 36 and thereby the piston within cylinder 34. Cylinder 34 and rock hammer device 32 are adapted to be operably coupled to an hydraulic mechanism controllable from a remote point for actuating the same when it is desired to drill holes in theface of an ore-containing deposit. Drill unit 26 is coupled with shiftable structure 22 at the opposed ends 40-and 42 of cylinder 34 in a manner hereinafter described.

Frame 12 comprises a pair of spaced, outer, tubular box beams 44 and 46 forming the sides of frame 12 and a pair of spaced, outer, tubular box beams 48 and 50 forma ing the ends of frame 12. Side beams 44 and 46 and end beams 48 and 50 are substantially coplanar by virtue of the interconnection of end beams 48 and 50 interconnecting side beams 44 and 46. A pair of inner side beams 52 and 54 are connected at the ends thereof to end beams 48 and 50 so as to form a pair of elongated spaces 56 and 58 between inner and outer beams on each side of frame 12. A pair of transverse beams 60 and 62 interconnect inner side beams 52 and 54 proximal to the extremities thereof for reinforcing frame 12.

lnterconnecting structure 18 includes a V-shaped assembly 64 secured to the underside of each side beam 44 and 46 intermediate the ends thereof, each assembly 64 comprising a pair of box beams 66 secured at the upper extremities thereof to the underside of the corresponding side beams and joined together at the lower extremities thereof. Assemblies 64 are mounted on side beams 44 and 46 so that the line interconnecting the lowerextremities of box beams 66 is parallel with the transverse center line of frame 12. A first plate 68 is afiixed to box beams 66, as by welding, and substantially covers the triangular area formed between box beams 66 and the corresponding side beam to which box beams 66 are secured. First plate 68 is provided with a plurality of perforations 70 therein for mounting a second triangular plate 72 ,by virtue of nut and bolt means 74 as is clear in FIG. 6. Second plate 72 carries a shaft 76 horizontally mounted thereon and serving as an axle for the corresponding wheel, it beingnoted that the outer tip 78 of shaft 76 is threaded to receive a nut 80 for securing the wheel toishaft 76. By yirtue of the above-described construction, frame 12' is, at all'times, inclined relative to surface 20 with either'end beam 48 or end beam 50 in engagement with'the latter; It is conceivable, however, that in moving frame 12 over an extended distance, the

same may be attached to a prime mover and the same may be moved with both end beams 48 and 50 out of engagement with surface 20. For operation within a mine, means are provided in'the form'of an hydraulic motor 82 operably coupled to each wheel 14 and 16 (as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) for moving frame 12 longitudinally relative to side beams 44 and 46 or rotatably about a vertical axis spaced from side beams 44 and 46. Motors 82 are secured to the upper surface of side beams 44 and 46 and are independently operable from a point remote therefrom. Each motor 82 is provided with a rotatable, chain-engaging sprocket '84 openably coupled to a sprocket (not shown) secured to the corresponding wheel by virtue of an endless chain 86 so that wheels 14 and 16 may either be rotated in the same direction at the same speed to move frame'12 longitudinally, rotated in the same direction at different speeds so as to rotate frame 12 about an axis laterally spaced from either of the side beams 44 and 46, or rotated in opposite directions at varying speeds for rotation of frame 12 about a vertical axis between side beams 44 and 46.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, '4, Sand 6, shaft 24 is rigidly connected at the opposed ends thereof to the lower extremities of assemblies 64 so that shaft 24 is transverse to side beams 44 and 46- and is substantially parallel and spaced below the transverse center line of frame 12. V

Shifts-bi e structure 22 comprises a ,pair of tubular members 88 mounted for rotation on shaft 24 proximal to the ends of the latter, it being noted that members 88 are disposed'in spaces 56 and 53for rotation in a substantially vertical are. As shown best in FIG. 4, each member 88 includes an outer'tube 90iand an inner tube 92 telescoped within outer tube 90 and shiftable relative to the latter along the longitudinal axis thereof. One extremity 94 of outer tube 90' is secured to a plate 96, as by welding, the opposite extremity 98 of outer tube 90 being open to receive inner tub-e 92 in telescoped relationship therewith. A collar 10!) is secured to the extnemity of inner tube 92 proximal to extremity 98 of outer tube 90 bynut and bolt means 102 and collar 10!) is rigidly mounted on the bight portion 103 of a U-shaped bracket 104 having a pair of opposed legs 106 extending outwardly from bight portion 103. Ends 40 and 42 of cylinder 34 are disposed between legs 106 of opposed brackets 104 and cylinder 34 is pivotally mounted at the ends thereof on bracket 104 by virtue of pivot means 108 in the form of pins 110 passing through align-ed openings [in legs 106 and ends 40 and 42 of cylinder 34 as shown in FIG. 3. Means are provided for shifting inner tube 92 relative to outer tube 90 and comprises a cylinder 1-1-2] having a piston (not shown) therein operably connected 'to an elongated rod 114 connected at the end; thereof opposite .to the piston with outer tube 90 proximal to extremity 94 thereof by virtue of nut and bolt means 116. Cylinder 112 is adapted to be operably coupled with a source of hydraulic fluid for actuating the piston therein: so that inner tube 92 shifts relative to outer tube 90 responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid into cylinder 112- on either side of the piston disposed therewithin. Rod 114 is substantially tubular so as to present a pair of hydraulic fluid-carrying passages (not shown) communicating with conduits 118 and 120, the latter being adapted to be coupled to the source of hydraulic fluid. Plate 96 is secured to a bearing means 122 by virtue of nut and bolt means 124, bearing means 122 being operably coupled to shaft 24 for rotation relative to the latter. As shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5, bearing means 122 is proyided with a first section 126 and a second section 128 secured to first section 126 by bolts 130 threadably mounted in first section 126. Each of said sections 126 and 128 are provided with a semi-cylindrical bearing surface complement-ally engaging the outer surface of shaft 7 24 .to permit bearing means 122, and thereby members.

88 corresponding to the latter, to rotate about shaft 24..

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, means for rotating members 83 about shaft 24 comprise a pair of cylinders; 132 and i134, cylinder 132 being operably coupled with member 88 adjacent side beam '46 and cylinder 134being operably coupled with member 88 adjacent side beam 44. Cylinder 132 contains a shiftable piston (not shown) therein operably coupled .to an elongated rod 136 extending outwardly from one end of cylinder 132, the latter being secured at the opposite end thereof to a projection 138 mounted on the underside of inner beam 54 and adjacent space 58 between inner beam 54 and outer side beam 46. Nut and bolt means 140 pivotally mounts the opposite end of cylinder 132 to projection 138, the latter being positioned between the transverse center line of frame 12 and end beam 50 of the latter. Cylinder 134 is coupled to a projection 142 on the underside of inner side beam 52 by means of a pin 144 or a nut and bolt means similar to nut and bolt means 140, cylinder 134 also having a shiftable piston (not shown) therein connected to an elongated rod 146 operably coupled to member 88 disposed in space 56 adjacent outer side beam 44. Rod 1 46 is operably coupled to shaft 24 by virtue of an elongated plate-like element 148 proximal to the end of the latter adjacent side beam 44, it being pointed out that rod 136 projecting outwardly from cylinder 132 is operably coupled to shaft 24 at the end of the latter proximal to side beam 46 by means of a plate-like element 148 identical to that element 148 coupled with rod 146. Element 148 is provided with a pair of spaced flanges 150 and 152 secured to the longitudinal side edges thereof as shown in FIG. 5, it being noted that flange 150 is secured to a stretch of the corresponding outer tube 90 between plate 96 and a point thereon adjacent the under surface of the corresponding side beam 44 or 46 when outer tube 90 is disposed in a substantially vertical position. By virtue of this construction element 148 is rotatable with outer tube 90 about shaft 24. To adequately support element 148 as the same rotates about shaft 24, an elongated component 154 is secured to flange 152, as by welding, and attached to a plate 156, the latter being secured to a segmented sleeve 158 rotatably mounted on shaft 24. Sleeve 158 is provided with a first segment 160 secured to plate 156 by virtue of .a pair of bolts 162 threadably received in plate 156 and a second segment 164 secured to first segment 160 by virtue of a pair of bolts (not shown) threadably received by first segment 160 through openings 166 in second segment 164. First and second segments 160 and 164 are provided with semicylindrical bearing surfaces complementally engaging the outer surface of shaft 124 so as to permit sleeve 158 to e rotatable relative to the latter.

The ends of rods 136 and 146 are pivotally mounted on pins 168 passing through flanges 150 and 152 of the respective elements transverse to the longitudinal axes thereof and at the extremities of the latter spaced from the connection .thereof with segmented sleeves 158. Pins 168 are secured to flanges 158 and 152 in any suitable manner but as is clear in FIG. 4, pins 168 take the form of elongated bolts secured to flanges 150 and 152 by means of nuts 170 threadably received at threaded ends of the bolts.

It is clear that, upon the actuation of the piston within either of cylinders 132 or 134 responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid into the latter, the corresponding member 88 is caused to rotate about shaft 24 by virtue of the extension of the corresponding rod 136 or 146 to rotate the corresponding element 148 about the axis of shaft 24. In this manner, members 88 are caused to rotate about the axis of shaft 24 in a substantially vertical are so as to shift drill unit 26 mounted on the ends thereof. Since cylinders 132 and 134 are independently operable, one of members 88 may be shiftable independently of the other of members 88 so as to dispose drill unit 26 in such a manner that the longitudinal axis thereof may be inclined relative to surface 20 to a greater or a lesser degress as is desired. Further, since members 88 are each provided with a shiftable inner tube 92, the longitudinal axis of drill unit 26 may be horizontally angularly disposed as well as vertically angulary disposed. Moreover, by virtue of the shiftable inner tubes 92, drill unit 26 may be elevated responsive to the rotation of outer tube 92 about shaft 24 so that drill unit 26 may move along a line substantially perpendicular to surface 20. As is clear in FIG. 3, the inclined dashed line depicts the member 88 rotated about shaft 24 to substantially an angle of 45 and further illustrating the shifting of inner tube 92 relative to outer tube of member 88 so as to permit drill unit 26 to assume a position above and outwardly spaced from the solid line position shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 1, drill unit 26 is shown in a dashed line position with the inner tube 92 of member 88 adjacent side beam 44 extended outwardly relative to the outer tube 90 thereof so that the londitudinal axis of drill unit 26 is rotated about an axis transverse thereto on a line intersecting the longitudinal axis of member 88 proximal to side beam 46. FIG. 1 also illutstrates the advancement of tip 28 by virture of the actuation of the piston within cylinder 34 so as to move the tip away from frame 12 as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1. The dashed line of FIG. 2 shows drill unit 26 with the longitudinal axis thereof inclined relative to surface 20, which position of drill unit 26 is attained by rotating member 88 adjacent side beam 44 to a greater angular position than that assumed by the opposite member 88, so that drill unit 26 is disposed in a manner such that the longitudinal axis thereof is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis with tip 28 being disposed below rock hammer device 32.

Referring now to FIG. 1, extension means 172 is provided. Extension means 172 is operably coupled to the hub 174 of wheel 16, extension means 172 extending outwardly from frame 12 to a pin 176 spaced from wheel 16 and disposed in an upright position. Extension means 172 includes a sleeve 178 adapted to be releasably secured to hub 17 4, an elongated tubular stretch 180 secured to sleeve 178, as by welding, an an elongated bar 182 received within tubular stretch 188 and extending outwardly therefrom, it being noted that bar 182 is releasably secured to stretch 180 by means of a pin 184 received in aligned openings in the outer end of stretch 180. The openings in stretch 180 are longitudinally spaced so as to permit bar 182 to be releasably secured to stretch 180 at various positions to vary the radius of rotation of frame 12 about pin 176. The outer end of bar 182 is provided with a collar 186 surrounding pin 176 and provided with a pair of spaced projections 188 thereon releasably secured to bar 182 by a nut and bolt assembly 198 through aligned openings therein. A pair of elongated chains are secured to collar 186, which chains, enumerated 192, are secured at the extremities opposite to the extremities connected to collar 186 to eyelets 194 secured to side beam 46 in spaced relationship by any suitable means.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the various hydraulic devices, such as motors 82, cylinders 132 and 134 and the actuating means of drill 26, are controllable from a central point by means of a control panel 196 mounted on a U- shaped platform 198, the latter in turn being mounted between inner side beams'52 and 54 and transverse beams 60 and 62. An operators seat 200 is disposed on platform 198 so that the operator, while sitting on seat 200, faces control panel 196 so as to operate the various hydraulic devices operably coupled to the moving components of drill carrier 10. Platform 198 is rotatably mounted on a pair of spaced box beams 202 secured at the lowermost ends thereof to shaft 24 and secured intermediate the ends thereof to inner side beams 52 and 54 by box beam sections 204, as is clear in FIG. 2. Bearing means are provided on the uppermost extremities of sides 206 forming a part of platform 198, which bearing means are journaled in the uppermost ends of box beams 202 so as to permit platform 198 to remain in a fixed position as frame 12 rotates about the axis of wheels 14 and 16.

In operation, drill carrier 10 is moved to the site of operations within a mine either by towing the same to the site or by operation of motors 82 to drive wheels 14 and 16 and thereby motivate frame 12 to the desired location.

.in successively parallel positions as drill unit 26 is elevated. When it is desired to drill angular holes relative to the horizontal, the inner tube 92 of one of members 88 is extended to a greater or lesser degree than the inner tube 92 of the other member 88 so as to rotate the longitudinal axis of drill unit 26 about a substantially vertical axis.

When it is desired to drill holes which are angular relative to the vertical, one of members 88' is rotated about the axis of shaft 24 to a greater or lesser degree relative to the ratation of the other member 88 about the same axis so that the longitudinal axis of drill unit 26 is substantially rotated about a horizontal axis. Further, combinations of vertical and horizontal angular positions of drill unit 26 will result in holes drilled at angles inclined both to the horizontal and the vertical.

Drill unit 26 may be shifted along a line transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof by rotating wheels 14 and 16 in the same direction and at the same speed. In addition,

greater angularity of the holes drilled by drill unit 26 may be accomplished by rotating wheels 14 and 16 in the opposite directionso as to effectively rotate frame 12 about a vertical axis between side beams 44 and 46. Additional angularity of drill unit 26 may be obtained by rotating wheels 14 and 16 in the same direction about an axis through pin 176 so that frame 12 and thereby drill unit 26 rotates about the vertical axis through pin 176.

Members 88 may be rotated in the quadrant opposite to that shown in FIG. 3 by tilting frame 12 so that end beam 48 contacts surface 20 and end beam 50 is spaced from the latter. To accomplish this, members 88 are .first disposed in a vertical position as shown by the dashed line position of FIG. 3. A pair of rods 208 are then secured to ears 21%) at opposed points on each member 88 by means of pins 212 to maintain the corresponding member88 in the vertical position, it being clear that rods 208 are provided with ground-engaging extremities 214 which are spaced on either side of shaft 24. A pair of braces 216 are secured to shaft 24 and the extremities 214 of rods 268 to maintain the latter in fixed positions relative to shaft 24. Thereupon, cylinders 132 and 134 are actuated so as to shift the latter relative to the corresponding rods 136 and 146, since members 88 are restrained from rotation about shaft 24 by virtue of rods 208. Frame 12 thereby rotates about the axis through the axles 76 of wheels 14 and 16 until end beam 48 en ages surface 20, thus permitting members 88 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 to a position opposite to that shown in the solid line drawing thereof.

By virtue of the weight of frame 12 and the two-wheel construction of drill carrier 10, the latter provides a rigid mounting for drill unit 26 which permits the latter to assume a plurality of positions so as tobe capable of drilling holes perpendicular to the normally upright face of the ore-containing deposits or at a plurality of angles.

relative to such face.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a carrier for an elongated drill unit having a longitudinally shiftable drilling element:

an elongated shaft; 7 a pair of elongated, extensible members, each member having one end thereof swingably secured to the shaft, each of the other ends of said members being adapted to be pivotally coupled to said unit in spaced relationship longitudinally of the unit from the corresponding other end of the other member, each member comprising a pair of relatively tions;

means operably coupled with each of said members for swinging a corresponding member in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis of said shaft and independently of the other member; and

structure operably coupled with each of said members for shifting one of said sections relative to the other section for extending or retracting the respective member.

shiftable sec- 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sections of each member are tubular, one of said sections being telescoped with the other section of a correspond-- ing member, said sections being relatively rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the corresponding member.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shaft is substantially horizontal, the respective members being disposed for swinging through horizontally spaced, substantially vertical arcsabout said shaft.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said one end of eachrrespective member is pivotally secured to the shaft in spaced relationship longitudinally of the shaft from the corresponding end of the other member.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a frame, said shaft being carried by the frame, and a fluid piston and cylinder assembly for each member, each assembly being operably coupled with the frame and a corresponding member for swinging the member with respect to said shaft.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said members are disposed to swing in substantially parallel planes.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said members extend substantially perpendicular to said shaft.

8. In a carrier for an elongated drill unit having a a longitudinally shiftable drilling element:

a subistantially planar frame having a pair of opposed en s;

a pair of wheels secured to the frame for supporting the latter, said wheels being journaled for rotation abgut an'axis below the frame and intermediate said on s;

an elongated, substantially horizontally disposed shaft carried by the frame and extending transversely of the latter;

a pair of elongated, extensible members, each member having one end thereof pivotally secured to the shaft for rotation about the latter, each of the other ends of said members being adapted to be pivotally coupled to said unit in spaced relationship longitudinally of the unit from the corresponding other end of the other member, each member comprising a pair of sections relatively shiftable longitudinally of the member and relatively rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the member, with one section of each member coupled to the shaft and the other section of the corresponding member adapted for coupling with said unit; A

a fluid-operated cylinder assembly for each member respectively, each assembly being operably coupled with the frame and a corresponding member for swinging the latter with respect to the shaft and independently of the other member; and

a fluid cylinder structure for each member respectively, each structure being operably coupled with each section of a corresponding member for shifting the sect ons longitudinally of the member to'extend' or retract 'said member independently of the other member.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein is provided an extension secured to said frame and extending laterally therefrom, and an anchor operably coupled With the extension in horizontally spaced relationship from said frame and adapted to be secured to the ground to facilitate manual swinging of said carrier about said anchor.

9 10 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein is pro- References Cited by the Examiner vided power means operably coupled with each of said UNITED STATES PATENTS Wheels, said power means operably coupled with each 2,365,176 12/44 Curtis 7 of said wheels, said power means being operable for inde- 2,657,017 10/53 C ti 173 43 pendently driving each of said wheels to facilitate moving 5 3,030,713 4/62 Hendrickson et a1. 17343 0f said camer- BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A CARRIER FOR AN ELONGATED DRILL UNIT HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY SHIFTABLE DRILLING ELEMENT: AN ELONGATED SHAFT; A PAIR OF ELONGATED, EXTENSIBLE MEMBERS, EACH MEMBER HAVING ONE END THEREOF SWINGABLY SECURED TO THE SHAFT, EACH OF THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO BE PIVOTALLY COUPLED TO SAID UNIT IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP LONGITUDINALLY OF THE UNIT FROM THE CORRESPONDING OTHER END OF THE OTHER MEMBER, EACH MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF RELATIVELY SHIFTABLE SECTIONS; MEANS OPERABLY COUPLED WITH EACH OF SAID MEMBERS FOR SWINGING A CORRESPONDING MEMBER IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SHAFT AND INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER MEMBER; AND STRUCTURE OPERABLY COUPLED WITH EACH OF SAID MEMBERS FOR SHIFTING ONE OF SAID SECTIONS RELATIVE TO THE OTHER SECTION FOR EXTENDING OR RETRACTING THE RESPECTIVE MEMBER.

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