Drilling Apparatus
AssigneeMinnich Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorRobert L. Kern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an automated drill apparatus composed of one or more gang drills mounted to a gang drill chassis, at least one powered drive wheel affixed to the gang drill chassis, and at least three pivotable support wheels. A control panel provides remote operation of drill rotation activation, drill advance, and drill bed position adjustment, and a panic off switch. A control system implements steering the automated drill apparatus and is selectable by the operator for steering in two-wheel mode or crab steer mode. The pivotable drive wheels, in conjunction with the control panel and control system, are used to position the automated drill apparatus along a slab to be drilled, and further activate one or more gang drills for drilling a slab.
Claims20
An automated gang drill apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of drills mounted on a gang drill bed;
- (b) a gang drill chassis for relocating the gang drill bed to one or more workstations, wherein the gang drill bed is secured to the gang drill chassis;
- and
- (c) a mobile remote operating panel usable by a gang drill operator remotely from the gang drill chassis,
- whereby the operator is provided with multiple positions for observing, viewing, and controlling the apparatus at a workstation, increasing operator efficiency, mobility, and safety.
An improved steering system for steering automated drill systems comprising:
- (a) a steering interlock arm;
- (b) a steering interlock body;
- (c) a steering control linkage;
- and
- (d) at least two pivotable wheels,
- wherein the steering interlock arm is positionable so as to impede the motion of the steering interlock body, whereby the at least two pivotable wheels steer in a normal steer mode, and wherein the steering interlock arm is positionable so as to impede the motion of the steering control linkage, whereby the at least two pivotable wheels steer in a crab steer mode.
A method for simultaneously drilling multiple holes at a workstation comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an automated gang drill apparatus comprising:
- (1) a plurality of drills mounted on a gang drill bed;
- (2) a gang drill chassis for relocating the gang drill bed to one or more workstations, wherein the gang drill bed is secured to the gang drill chassis;
- and
- (3) a mobile remote operating panel usable by a gang drill apparatus operator remotely from the gang drill chassis,
- (b) providing at least one drilling surface of horizontal, vertical, or incline orientation;
- (b) positioning the gang drill apparatus operator in at least one location whereby the operator is provided with a viewing angle optimal for safely and efficiently observing the operation of the gang drill apparatus;
- (c) positioning the gang drill apparatus so that the gang drill bed is oriented to drill holes into the at least one drilling surface;
- and
- (d) initiating the drilling operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.