# US 2014/0151124 A1 · Tool For Use On Exit Side Of Bore An Method Of Use Thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151124 A1 - Document ID: US20140151124A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/094,321 - Filed: 2013-12-02 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: American Augers, Inc. - Applicants: American Augers, Inc. - Inventors: Guy Randall; Jared Bird; Rich Gentry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151124A1 ## CPC - E21B 19/168: {using a spinner with rollers or a belt adapted to engage a well pipe} - E21B 19/16: Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints (E21B19/20 takes precedence) - E21B 19/161: {using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe (E21B19/168 takes precedence)} - E21B 19/163: {piston-cylinder actuated} - E21B 19/164: {motor actuated (E21B19/162 and E21B19/163 take precedence)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A tool for making up and breaking out a drill string at an exit side of a bore. The tool includes a fixed vice and a moveable vice for torqueing a pipe joint, a roller assembly for threading and unthreading adjacent sections of pipe, and a retainer assembly to retain a detached pipe section. The components of the tool are mounted on a frame, which is pivotally connected to a hydraulic machine such as an excavator. Thus, the tool may be manipulated to remove and add sections of pipe to a drill string remote from the primary horizontal directional drill. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for boring using a drill string, the drill string comprising a first end, a second end, and a middle portion wherein the middle portion is below a surface of the ground, the system comprising: a horizontal directional drilling machine located at the first end of the drill string; and a pipe handler disposed at the second end of the drill string comprising: a vice assembly to apply a twisting force to the second end of the drill string; a first retainer assembly; and a second retainer assembly; wherein each of the first retainer assembly and the second retainer assembly are located on a first side of the vice assembly to hold a pipe section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frame supporting the vice assembly and first and second retainer assemblies, wherein the frame is pivotable relative to the drill string. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a roller assembly supported by the frame to twist the second end of the drill string. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the frame is pivotally attached to a hydraulic machine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the hydraulic machine provides at least part of the operative force for the pipe handler. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vice assembly comprises: a first vice; and a second vice: wherein the first vice is fixed and the second vice is moveable relative to the first vice. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second vice is disposed between the first vice and the first retainer assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a roller assembly supported by the frame between the first and second retainer assemblies to rotate a pipe section located at a second end of the drill string. ### Claim 9 A tool for making up and breaking out a pipe joint on the exit side of a bore and attachable to a hydraulic machine, said tool comprising: a frame comprising a first end and a second end and pivotable relative to the hydraulic machine; a first vice assembly and a second vice assembly mounted proximate the first end of the frame each adapted to grip a pipe section on opposing sides of a pipe joint distal from an entry side of the bore: wherein the second vice assembly is moveable with respect to the first vice assembly; and a retainer assembly supported on the frame between the first vice assembly the second end of the frame and adapted to hold a pipe section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the frame is pivotable about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further wherein the hydraulic machine provides power to the tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of rollers supported by the frame to provide a twisting force to a pipe section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retainer assembly further comprises a first retainer and a second retainer, and wherein the plurality of rollers are located between the first retainer and the second retainer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein at least some of the plurality of rollers are pivotally connected to the frame. ### Claim 15 A method of drilling a hole having an entry side and an exit side comprising: boring a hole with a horizontal directional drilling machine; advancing a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections from the entry side of the hole to the exit side of the hole; placing a tool comprising a vice assembly, a roller assembly, and a retainer assembly proximate the exit side of the hole; adjusting the tool such that a pair of adjacent pipe sections of the drill string are within the vice assembly of the tool: separating the pair of adjacent pipe sections with the vice assembly; unthreading one of the pair of adjacent pipe sections from the drill string through operation of the roller assembly; and retaining the unthreaded pipe section in the retainer assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the tool is pivotally mounted on a hydraulic machine. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of pivoting the tool such that it is substantially parallel to the drill string. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising operatively connecting the tool to the hydraulic machine such that the machine provides at least a part of the operating force for the tool. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the retainer assembly comprises a first retainer and a second retainer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising placing the unthreaded pipe in a pipe storage location. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising: placing a pipe section in the retainer assembly; threading the pipe section to the drill string with the roller assembly; and providing torque to the pipe section and drill string with the vice assembly to secure a connection between the pipe section and drill string. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a backreamer to a terminal end of the pipe section.