Latching rod box

A method of securing a rod box to a horizontal directional drilling system comprising:

• a. a chassis with an elongated rack frame for supporting a gearbox that travels along a longitudinal axis defining a drill string axis;
• b. a first rod box mount positioned adjacent the drill string axis and adjacent a first end of the rack frame, having a first pin that is generally perpendicular to the drill string axis, the mount further comprising a first mount surface generally parallel to the drill sting axis with a latch mechanism;
• c. a second rod box mount positioned adjacent the drill string axis and adjacent a second end of the rack frame, having a second pin that is generally perpendicular to the drill string axis, the mount further comprising a second mount surface generally parallel to the drill sting axis;
• and
• d. an elongated rod box with a first flange having an aperture on one end, and a second flange having an aperture on the opposite end;
• the method comprising:
• e. positioning the rod box with the second aperture aligned with a first end of the second pin while the first aperture is misaligned with the first pin;
• f. then moving the rod box in a first direction generally perpendicular to the drill string axis so that the aperture of the second flange partially engages the pin of the second rod box mount;
• g. then moving the rod box in a second direction generally parallel to the drill string axis, as allowed by either a beveled portion of the second pin or by a slight misalignment of the second pin, to a position where the first aperture is aligned with a first end of the first pin;
• and
• h. then moving the rod box in a direction generally perpendicular to the drill string axis until the first flange is seated on the first mount surface wherein the first flange engages with a latch that secures the rod box from moving in a direction aligned with the axis of the first pin.

A method for securing a rod box to a directional drilling machine using an attachment interface including a first interface location spaced from a second interface location, the first interface location including a first guide pin, a first opening defining structure defining a first opening and a latching arm, the second interface location including a second guide pin and a second opening defining structure defining a second opening, the method comprising:

• inserting the second guide pin through the second opening while the first guide pin is not yet received in the first opening;
• then pivoting the rod box relative to the second guide pin to cause the first guide pin to be received in the first opening while concurrently sliding the rod box toward the first interface location thereby causing the second opening defining structure and the second guide pin to be moved to an interlocked orientation;
• and
• then latching the first opening defining structure with the latching arm after the second opening defining structure and the second guide pin have been moved to the interlocked orientation.