US2306130A - Well drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1942. s. w. L QNGV 2,306,130

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1940 3 sheets-sheeti- 1 www HATS/9kb@ Dec.l Z2, 194,2. s. w. LONG WELL DRILLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets--Sheet v2 Filed March 27, 1940 Dec. 22, 1942. s. w. LONG WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1940 3 sneets-sneei3 Patented Dec. 22, 1942 WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Spencer W. Long, Inglewood, Calif., assigner to Baash-Ross Tool Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a. corporation of California Application March 27, 1940, Serial No. 326,216

(Cl. Z55-23) 15 Claims.

vprovide a torque drive to the Kelly bushing, and a lower portion that is conical or tapered to receive the slips. With the present day drilling practice it is desirable to employ long slips and to provide increased bearing surfaces in the master bushing for receiving the lengthened slips. Master bushing and Kelly bushing assemblies have recently been introduced in which the central opening of the master bushing is tapered to the top of the master bushing to provide ample bearing surfaces for the long slips and the Kelly bushing is formed to seat on the top of the master bushing. In this last named construction the Kelly bushing has pins projecting from its lower side and received in spaced openings in the top of the master bushing to transmit rotation or torque from the master bushing to the Kelly bushing. The new type of bushing construction is successful and effective but has certain disadvantages. iiculty is often encountered in centering or orienting the new type of Kelly bushing to bring its torque transmitting pins into alignment with the openings in the master bushing. If the Kelly hangs out of alignment when being lowered into position it is often necessary to resort to sledging,Y

barring, or other time consuming operations to bring the Kelly bushing into position to enter its pins into the openings of the master bushing. Further, the new pin type Kelly bushing is usually Considerable difreadily entered in thel openings of the master bushing by merely starting rotation of the rotary l table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bushing construction of the character mentioned in which the Kelly bushing is immediately and automatically secured or latched against vertical movement relative to the master bushing when brought to the operative position and is automatically freed for upward movement upon being hoisted from the master bushing. The construction of the present invention embodies a novel means for holding the Kelly bushing against upward movement that is set or conditioned without manual operation when the Kelly bushing assumes its operative position and that is released without manual attention when the Kelly bushing is hoisted from the master bushing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bushing construction of the character referred to embodying improved means for transmitting torque between the master bushing and the Kelly bushing. The improved torque transmitting means of the invention embodies radially disposed cooperating surfaces on the master and Kelly bushings presenting much larger effective areas than the torque transmitting means heretofore used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Kelly bushing having a guide part or pilot part on its lower end adapted to enter the central opening of the master bushing to automatically center the Kelly bushing as it is lowered into place.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Kelly .bushing and master bushing combination of the character mentioned in which automatic latch means are associated with the pilot part of the Kelly bushing to automatically latch the Kelly held dcwn against vertical shifting by manually l operated latches. The manual conditioning and releasing of these latches requires considerable time and there is always the danger of damaging the equipment by raising the Kelly bushing beforeI the hold down latches are released.

Another object of this invention is to provide a master bushing and Kelly bushing construction of the "pin torque transmission type wherein the tapered slip receiving opening of the master bush.

immediately oriented andbushing against vertical displacement when it is lowered into place in the master bushing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bushing construction of the character mentioned embodying a roller Kelly bushing including rotatable elements for cooperating with the drive stem or Kelly to reduce friction to a minimum.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bushing construction of the character mentioned that is sturdy, long-wearing, and particularly easy to manipulate and control.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which a master bushing and Kelly bushing construction ing drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rotary table showing `one form of master bushing andyv Kelly bushing of the invention arranged in the operative positions and illustrating a typical Kelly in horizontal cross section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an enon Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary'1 vertical detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the bushing construction showing a modified or alternative form of hold-down means. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional vview of the construction shown in Fis. 6. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating another form of the invention embodying automatic hold-down latches showing the Kelly and the latch parts in side elevation. Fig. 9 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2 9 on Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal detailedsectional view taken as indicated byline I5-I0 on Fig. 8. g

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings. may be said to comprise, generally, a master bushing Il to be arranged in a rotary table T, a Kelly bushing body II, cage and roller assemblies I2 in the body II, pilot means I3 on the body II for locating and centering the body as it is lowered into position, and means i4 for transmitting rotation4 or torque between the master bushing Il and the `Kelly bushing body II.

The master bushing I is intended to be arranged in the rotary table T to receive pipe supporting slips and the Kelly bushing. The master bushing I0 is shaped to t in the rotary table T and is preferably sectional to be readily assembled in the table. The table T has a central vertical opening with a polygonal upper portion I and a round or cylindrical maior portion I5. The master bushing I0 is shaped to fit the table opening having a polygonal upper part I1 seated in the polygonal portion I5 and a cylindrical major lower portion I9 seated in the cylindrical opening portion I6. The upper side of the bushing I0 is preferably flat and is flush with the top of the table T when the bushing is in place. The master bushing I0 is provided with a central opening for receiving the slips for passing the Kelly K, drilling tools, etc., and for receiving parts of the Kelly bushing. The opening of the master bushing I0 has a conical or downwardly and'inwardly tapered wall 20. The tapered wall 20 of the master bushing I0 preferably extends downwardly from the top of the bushing to a point adjacent the lower end of the bushing. `The extreme lower portion of the master bushing opening may have a tapered wall 2i sloping upwardly and inwardly. A short cylndrical wall 22 occurs in the master bushing' opening between the tapered walls 2li and at the point of maximum restriction.

The master bushing iS is preferably cored out to reduce its weight, having vertically extending spaces between its internal and external wall parts. It is preferred to make the master bushing I0 in two or mone sections to facilitate its trated the master bushing I0 is divided into two like or complementary sections S (see Fig. 2). I'he diametrical vertical plane oi division of the master bushing Il preferably has intertitting or interlocking ribs 23. 'The ribs 23 extend vertically of the inner sides of the bushing sections S and are engaged by relative vertical movement of the sections to effectively lock the sections against relativelateral movement. When the sections S are connected by means of the ribs 2! and seated in the opening of the table T, the master bushing Il is, in effect, a continuous solid structure.

The Kelly bushing body I I is provided to carry or contain the active Kelly engaging parts of the bushing. In accordance with the invention the body II is constructed for arrangement at the upper side of the master bushing il to rest on the master bushing. In the construction illustrated the bushing body II is an upright tubular member having an open upper end to receive the cage and roller assemblies I2. The upper end portion of the body l I is cylindrical and threaded at 24, while the lower end of the body II is preferably flat and horizontal. A central downwardly projecting extension 25 is provided on the lower end of the body I I. The extension 25 may be an integral part of the body Il and is adapted to extend into the opening of the bushing Il with suitable clearance. The extension 25 is tubular having an opening 25 that continues upwardly to the interior of the tubular body II. The upper portion of the opening 25 is enlarged in diameter providing a tapered upwardly facing annular shoulder 21. 'Ihe body extension 25 serves to carry the pilot means I2.

In accordance with the broader aspects of the l invention the Kelly bushing may have any selected or required form of kelly engaging parts for transmitting rotation to the kelly K. For example, the kelly engaging parts of the Kelly bushing may be xed relative to the Kelly bushing or may be anti-friction elements such as rollers. In the form of the invention herein described the Kelly bushing is provided with the cage and roller assemblies I2 for transmitting the rotation or torque to the kelly K. In accordance with the usual practice the kelly K is polygonal in transverse cross section and in the typical case illustrated the kelly K has four vertical sides or faces F. The Kelly bushing embodies four cage and roller assemblies I2 arranged in the4 body Ii. Each assembly I2 has a cage 28, vertically spaced pins 29 supported by the cage 28. and rollers 3B on the pins. The cages 28 have lower walls 3| resting on the internal lower surface 32 of the body II and the upper ends of the cages 22 may lie in or adjacent the plane occupied by the upper end of the body I I. The cages 2l, while individual, have interlocking engagement in the body. The pins 2! extend transversely between the sides of the cages 2l and the sets or pairs of pins 2l lie in vertical planes parallel with the faces F of the kelly K. The rollers 3@ are rotatably supported on the pins 2! and are located so that they cooperate with the faces F of the kelly K. The engagement of the rollers 3l with the kelly K transmits rotation to the kelly while allowing free vertical movement of the kelly withl respect to the bushing assembly. A cover ring 32 is removably threaded on the upper portion 24 of the body II and engages the upper ends ot the cages 2l to hold the assemblies l2 in the body. The cover ring n is locked in place by convenient assembly. In the construction illus- 15 a bolt Il passed through openings in the ring at a radial split in the ring. The upper ends ofthe cages 28 have threaded openings 35 and the reception of lifting rods for inserting and removing the assemblies I2. The cage -and roller assemblies I2 may be of the general type disclosed and claimed in the Lynn, et al.; Patent No. 1,914,- 210, January 13, 1933.

The guide means or pilot means I3 is a locating or centering means arranged on the lower end of the Kelly bushing adapted to enter the 'master bushing I to bring the Kelly bushing into concentric relation to the master bushing when the Kelly bushing is lowered into place. The pilot means I3 comprises an elongate tubular sleeve 36 projecting downwardly at the lower end of the Kelly bushing body II. The sleeve 36 is'preferably cylindrical and iits the opening 26 of the body extension 25. 'I'he guide sleeve or pilot sleeve 36 extends downwardly beyond the extension 25 to project through the restricted cylinoperable with the walls of the groove 44 to be locked in place. 'Ihe upper and lower sides of the ring 45 may slope or converge inwardly and the lower side of the ring has at pitched faces angularlyrelated to cooperate with the shoulders 43 of the kelly F. The relationship between the ring 45 and the lower` end of the pilot sleeve 36 is such that the kelly portion 42 projects a substantial distance below the sleeve 36 to be readily engaged bytongs, or the like, when the shoulders 43 are in cooperation with the under side of the ring. This assures the easy connection and disconnection of the kelly when the Kelly bushing is on the kelly. The upset portion 42 of the kelly drical wall 22 into the flared lower part of the master bushing opening when the Kelly bushing is in place. The sleeve 36 is received by the cylindrical wall 22 with but slight clearance. An external enlargement 3 1 is provided at the upper end of the sleeve 36 to seat on the shoulder 21. The sleeve 36 arranged as just described, is removable vertically from the Kelly bushing when the cover ring 33 and the assemblies I2 are removed.

The pilot sleeve 36 is sectional to be readily assembled about the kelly K before being lowered into place. The sleeve 36 is preferably divided along a vertical plane into two like halves or sections. The plane of division or splitting of the sleeve 36 is indicated at 38. Means is provided for definitely locating the pilot sleeve 36 and for preventing relative rocking or spreading of the halves of the split sleeve. A key 39 is welded or otherwise iiXed in a notch 40 in the lower Wall of the body I I and cooperates with notches 4I in the upper ends of the guide sleeve sections. Fig. 5 best illustrates the key construction. The notches 4I are preferably located at the plane of division 38 of the sleeve 36 so that the key 39 cooperates with both sections of the sleeve.

In accordance with the usual practice the kelly K has an upset portion or cylindrical portion 42 at its lower end presenting upwardly facing shoulders 43 at the lower ends of the faces F. The shoulders 43 are pitched downwardly and outwardly. The pilot means I3 has a part or parts engageable by the shoulders 43 to lift or raise the Kelly bushing from the master bushing I 0 when the drilling string is pulled or raised and adapted to support the Kelly bushing on` the kelly K when the kelly is arranged in the derrick K is of substantial length and its lower end is formed for threaded connection with a sub 46 or other part of the drilling string. .v

The means I4 for transmitting rotation or torque from the master bushing I0 to the Kelly bushing comprises parts on the bushings engaged and disengaged by relative vertical movementof the bushings. In the preferred construction the means I4 comprises projecting parts on the Kelly bushing received in openings in the master bushing I6. As illustrated there are spaced downwardly projecting jaws, lugs, or drive parts 41 on the lower end of the Kelly bushingbody II cooperable with openings 48 in the upper end of the master bushing I6. There may be four equally spaced torque transmitting parts 41 at or adjacent the margin or periphery of the bushing body II, it being preferred to arrange the parts 41 a maximum distance from the central vertical axis of the bushing. .The torque transmitting parts 41 may be integral with the body II and are preferably quite heavy. The inner and outer sides of the lugs or parts 41 may `be curved concentrically with the vertical axis of the bushing. As best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the sides 48 of the parts 41 are at and substantially radial relative to the central vertical axis oi the bushing. v'I'his assures a full, even contact between the side surfaces of the parts 41 and the-walls of the openings 48 providing an effective, durablegtorque 'transmission between the bushings. There may be raised finished surfaces 56011 the under side of the body II at or around the parts 41. The openings 48 communicate with the cored out interior of the master bushing I0 and the parts 41 may extend into the hollow master bushing. ,Openings 5I extend vertically through the parts 41 and the lowerwall of the body Il to communicate with the interior of the body. The openings 5I are provided to discharge or drain mud or other fluid from the interior of the body II and their lower ends empty into the interior of the cored out and when the Kelly bushing is to be lowered into place in the master bushing.

An internal enlargement or projection is provided on the sleeve 36 to cooperate with the'- shoulders 43 of the kelly K. In the form of the invention being described this enlargement is removable and replaceable to adapt the Kelly bushing or at least the sleeve 36 for use with kellys of different sizes. An annular horizontal groove. is formed in the interior of the sleeve 36. The groove 44 preferably has dove-tailed or converging side walls and is spaced a substantial distance above the lower end lof the sleeve 36. A split ring 45 is arranged in the groove 44. The

sections of the split ring 45 may be slid into the groove 44 where the ends of the groove are onen at the plane of division 38 of the sleeve 38. The ring 45 has dove-tailed or convergingsides coand the walls 53 slope upwardly and forwardlyrelative to the normal direction' of rotation oi.l the rotary tableand when engaged serve to definitely,

hold the Kelly bushing against upward movement relative to the proportioned so that the leading sides of the lugs or parts 41 have suitable clearance with the 1eadvmaster bushing. The parts are ing walls of the openings 48. This clearance allows the parts 41 to be readily entered into the openings 48. The pitched or undercut surfaces 52 and walls 53 are correspondingly sloped and are formed to evenly bear throughout their extents.

In operation the Kelly bushing is first assembled on the kelly K. The Kelly bushing body Il with the cage and roller assemblies I2 removed is arranged on the master bushing l and may be positioned to have its drive parts 41 in the openings 48. 'Ihe kelly K is hoisted or swung over the bushings and is lowered down through the body Il and the master bushing I0. With the kelly K extending through the bushings the guide sleeve or pilot sleeve 361s assembled around the kelly and lowered into place so that its enlarged portion 31 bears on the shoulder 21. In performing this operation lifting handles or rods may be threaded into tapped openings 54 in the portion 31 to facilitate the handling of the split sleeve 36. The cover` ring 33 is then threaded from the .body Il and raised and the cage and .roller assemblies I2 are lowered into the body Il. The assemblies I2 may be lowered into place on lifting rods or handles threaded into the openings 35.' The cover ring 33 is then lowered onto the body Il and threaded on the portion 24 to engage against the upper ends of the assemblies I2. This completes the assembling of the Kelly bushing on the kelly K, and so long as the Kelly bushing is in service it may remain on the kelly. 'Ihe ring 45 is engageable by the shoulders 43 so that the Kelly bushing may be hoisted or raised and lowered by means of the kelly K.

When the drilling string is made up and it is desired to employ the kelly K and the Kelly bushing to drive the drilling string, the kelly K connected with the upper end of the string is lowered. The Kelly bushing is supported on the kelly K by the engagement of the ring 45 with the shoulders 43 and the Kelly bushing moves downwardly with the kelly. The Kelly bushing is lowered until the guide sleeve or pilot sleeve 36 enters the master bushing I0. The engagetorque or rotation is transmitted from the master bushing I0 to the Kelly bushing through the parts 41 engaged in the openings 48 and the rollers 30 of the Kelly bushing contact the flat faces F of the kelly K to transmit rotation to the kelly and the drilling string. The kelly K is,'of course. movable vertically relative to the bushing assembly. When the drilling string is to be pulled the kelly K is raised, bringing the shoulders 43 against the ring 45 and the Kelly bushing is hoisted or raised with the kelly K. The clearance in the openings 48 allows the parts 41 to move upwardly out of the openings when the Kelly bushing is positively lifted by the kelly K. The improved Kelly bushing is easily and quickly connected with the master bushing l0 for'the transmission of rotation without the use of sledges or crowbars and requires no manually operated or controlled hold-down devices or latches for preventing upward movement of the Kelly bushing relative to the master bushing I0 when the ment of the lower end of the guide sleeve 36 with the sloping wall 20 locates or centralizes the Kelly bushing body Il and when the guide sleeve 36 enters and passes through the cylindrical wall 22 the bushing body Il is co-axial with the master bushing I0. I'his automatically brings the parts 41 into concentric relation with the openings 48. The lower ends of the parts 41 may rest on the upper surface of the master bushing l0 to temporarily support the Kelly bushing. The rotary table T is then rotated or turned slightly in the righthand direction. As there is no engaged drive between the master bushing I8 and the body II, the master bushing turns with respect to the Kelly bushing and the openings 48 are brought under'the parts 41 and the parts 41 automatically fall into the openings 48. In this connection it is to be observed that the pilot sleeve 36 is engaged in the central cylindrical wall 22 of the master bushing l0 to hold the body Il centralized so that the parts 41 are circumferentially aligned with the openings 48. With the parts 41 engaged in the openings 48 the apparatus is in condition for operation.

When the table T is rotated in a righthand direction the surfaces 52 and the walls 53 cooperate and their engagement definitely holds or locks the body Il and the parts associated therewith against upwardmovement relative to the master bushing I0. In the drilling operation the equipment is in operation.

Figs. 6 and l of the drawings illustrate an alternative or modified form of hold-down means. The construction may be the same as described above, except that the torque transmitting means I4 is modified to embody spring hold-down means. The torque transmitting parts 41a have flat vertical sides 52a and the side walls of the openings 48* are fiat and vertical. In the preferred arrangement the sides of the parts 41a and the side walls of the openings 48 are radial with respect'to the vertical axis of the bushing assembly and cooperate with but little clearance. Notches 55 are formed in the top of the master bushing I!!a to join the openings 48B. Blocks 56 are welded or otherwise secured in the notches 55 and their lower ends overhang to form shoulders 51. The blocks 55 may be hard faced to be long-wearing. The outer faces of the torque transmitting parts 4,1a have vertically extending grooves 58, Raised faces 59 may be provided above the grooves 58 and leaf springs 60 are seated on the faces 59. Screws 6l may secure the .springs 60 to the body Ha. The springs 60 exblocks 58 may be rounded or bevelled off.

When the Kelly bushing is lowered with the parts 41 aligned with the openings 48a, the sloping lower ends of the springs 60 cooperate with the blocks 56 and cause inward retraction of the springs. When the parts 41 move downwardly in the openings 48a the spring parts 62 snap under the corners 51 of the blocks 56 to latch or hold the Kelly bushing against upward movement relative to the master bushing. The Kelly bushing provided with the hold down means illustrated in Figs. 6 and 'I of the drawings may be employed and operated in the same manner as the previously described form of the invention.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings may be said to comprise, generally a master bushing I0". a Kelly bushing body Il, cage and roller assemblies I2b in the body Hb, means 14h for transmitting rotation between the master bushing and the Kelly holds or locks the Kelly bushing against upward bushing. guide means or pilot means 13b for centering the body IIb when the same is lowered into place, and means X associated with the pilot means I3b for holding the Kelly bushing down in its operative position.

The master bushing Ib, the Kelly bushing body IIb and the cage and roller assemblies I2b are the same as in the previously described form of the invention and corresponding reference numerals are applied to their corresponding parts. In this construction the extension 25 on the lower end of the body IIb is eliminated, the lower wall of the body IIb having an opening 64 considerably larger in diameter than the kelly K.

'Ihe means I4b for transmitting rotation or torque from the master bushing IIIb to the Kelly bushing IIb comprises lugs or parts 41b projecting from the lower end of the body I Ib and openings 48b in the top of the master bushing I 0b receiving the parts 41". There is a plurality of spaced parts 41b and a corresponding number of openings 48h for receiving the parts. In this form of the invention the opposite sides of the parts lilb and the side walls of the openings 48 are preferably fiat and vertical and radial with respect to the central vertical axis of the bushing assembly. The torque transmitting parts 41b are received in the openings 48b with suitable slight clearance. The parts 41b have vertical drain openings .'Ib for discharging mud or the 'like'from the interior of the body IIb into the open bottomed master bushing I".

The guide means or pilot means I3b operates to locate or centralize the kelly bushing when the same is lowered into place to bring the parts 11b into concentric relation with the openings 48". The pilot means I3b includes a rigid guide sleeve or pilot extension 36b on the lower end of the body II". The opening 66 in vthe sleeve 36b receives or passes the kelly K with substantial clearance. The sleeve 36h extends upwardly in the opening 6d and has a head or ilange 61 on its upper end seating on a shoulder 68 formed on the wall of the opening 64. 'I'he sleeve :llib projects a substantial distance from the body IIb and is suiciently long to project into the lower ilared pat of the master bushing opening when the Kelly bushing is in position. 'I'he lower end of the sleeve 3'6b is cooperable with the sloping wall and the cylindrical wall 22 to locate and )centralize the Kelly bushing I Ib.

The hold down means X automatically latches the Kellybushing against upward movement when it is lowered into the master bushing Illb on the kelly K and is automatically released when the kelly K is raised to lift the Kelly bushing from the rotary table. The means X includes windows or openings 89 in the master bushing IUD. The openings 69 occur `in the upper portion of the wall 20 and may be diametrically opposite. The upper walls of the openings 69 slope downwardly and outwardly while the lower walls lof the openings 69 slope downwardly and inwardly. Pivoted keepers or latches 10 are mounted on the pilot extension or sleeve 395b to cooperate with the openings 69. Sets or pairs of ears 1I are provided on the guide sleeve 36h and vertical slots 12 extend into the sleeve 36h from its upper end and separate or space the ears 1I. Pins 13 pivotally support the latches 16 between the ears 1I to extend outwardly from the sleeve 36" and to project inwardly in the slots 12. The outer ends of the latches 'I0 are curved or sloped t0 engage upwardly and outwardly against the upmovement relative to the master bushing. I'he lower I.sides of the latches 10 are adapted to engage against the lower walls of the openings 69 to limit the downward and outward pivoting of the latches.

Novel means is provided for controlling the latches 10. A split sleeve 14 surrounds the kelly K within the guide sleeve 36h. The opening of the split sleeve 'I4 is polygonal and proportioned to freely pass the kelly K. The halves of the split sleeve 14 are held in the correct relation by dowels 15 arranged through openings at the plane of division of the sleeve, see Fig. 9. Diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve 14 have flat vertical inset faces 16 providing adequate clearance for the reception of the inner portions of the latches 10. The lower end of the split sleeve 14 may rest on a shoulder 'Il formed on the interior of the guide extension or sleeve 361?. The upper end of the split sleeve 14 may be spaced below the interior of the body I Il.l Fingers 18 project outwardly at the upper ends of the at faces 16 and extend through the slots 12. The lower sides of the fingers 18 are engageable with the upper sides of the latches 10. A coiled spring 19 is arranged under compression between the fingers 18 and the lower ends of the cage and roller assemblies I2". The spring 19 is within the guide sleeve 36b and surrounds the kelly K with substantial clearance. The spring 19 normally urges or holds the split sleeve 14 down so that the fingers 18 retain the latches 10 in cooperation with the openings 89. l

Means is provided for automatically releasing the latches 10 from the openings B9 when the kelly K is raised to lift the Kelly bushing from the master bushing I 0b. Downwardly and outwardly sloping cam faces 80 are provided on the exterior of the sleeve 14 at the lower ends of the nat faces 16 and the lower ends of the latches 10 are shaped to cooperate with the cam faces. The

per walls of the openings 69 and this engagement 75 lower end of the split sleeve 14 is adapted to be engaged by the shoulders 43 of Kelly K and may have sloping shoulders 42 for engagement by the shoulders 43. When the Kelly is raised from a position such as shown in Fig. 8 its shoulders 43 come into engagement with the shoulders 82 and the sleeve 14 is raised against the action of the spring 18 so that the vcam faces 80 retract or pivot the latches 10 out ot the openings 69. Following retraction of the latches 1II continued upward movement of the Kelly K is transmitted to the body IIb so that the Kellybushing may be raised with the Kelly.

When the Kelly bushing illustrated in Figs. 8. 9 and 10 `of the drawings is to be used the body IIb carrying the cover ring 33 but without the assemblies I2b is seated on the master bushing I3", the Kelly K is suspended over the bushing assembly and the spring 1l is run up over the lower end of the Kelly and held in an elevated position. The Kelly K is then lowered down through the bushing assembly to bring the upset portion 42 below the shoulder 11. The split sleeve 14 is .then assembled around the Kelly K,

the dowels 1I being arranged in place and the sleeve 14 is lowered into position to rest on the shoulder 11. Lifting handles or rods may be employed'in lowering the sleeve 14 into position. The spring 13 is then run down the Kelly K to rest on the lingers 18. 'I'he cover ring 33 is disconnected from the body IIb and raised and the cage and roller assemblies I2b are placed in the body IIb. The cover ring 33 is thenreapplied t0 6 the body Ilb to hold down the assemblies l2".

The Kelly K is then raised to bring its shoulders 4l against the shoulders 82 and the upward movement of the Kelly is continued to lift the Kelly bushing out oi the master bushing 10b. 'I'he latches 10 are then positioned and secured in place by the pins 13. The Kelly K is then lowered to return the Kelly bushing to its operative position. In this operation the pilot sleeve 38 engages in the vtapered wall 20 and the cylindrical wall 22 to locate or centralize the Kelly bushing so that the prts Il are conditioned to enter the openings 48 rotary table is started and as the master bushing l rotates with respect to the Kelly bushing the openings 48h are brought to positions to receive the parts 41h. 'I'he parts 41 automatically fall into the openings Il", the sleeve 38h serving to hold the Kelly bushing centralized with respect to the master bushing.

When the kelly K is lowered the shoulders 43 move away from the shoulders 82 and the sleeve 14 is allowed to move downwardly. This downward movement of the sleeve 14 is accompanied by outward pivoting of the latches 80 and the noses of the latches are brought into cooperation with the openings 69. Thus the latches automatically latch the Kelly bushing against upward movement in the master bushing 10b. The Kelly bushing may remain assembled about the kelly K throughout the drilling operations. The shoulders 43 o! the kelly K are cooperable with the shoulders 82 to lift the Kelly bushing from the master bushing and when the Kelly bushing is to be returned to its operative position the kelly K is merely lowered as above described, and the sleeve 36h cooperates with the walls 20 and 22 to centralize the Kelly bushing so that the parts 41D are oriented for immediate engagement in the openings 48h when rotation of the rotary table is initiated. Y

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modiilcations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope or the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In combination, a master bushing having a central opening, the opening having a tapered slip receiving portion and a lower generally cylindrlcal portion, a drive bushing for transmitting rotation to a drive stem and adapted to rest on the upper end of the master bushing, parts on the upper end of the master bushing and the lower end of the drive bushing spaced outwardly from the central opening engageable by relative vertical movement when the drive bushing is made to rest on the upper end of the master bushing and operable when engaged to transmit rotation between the bushings, and a pilot element projecting from the lower end of the drive bushing of suiiicient length to extend through said tapered portion of the opening and slidably and turnably engage in said generally cylindrical portion of the opening to bring said parts into position for ready engagement when the drive bushing is lowered and turned relative to the master bushing.

2. In a rotary table structure including a master bushing for arrangement in the table and having a central opening, an opening in the table structure offset from the central opening, a drive bushing to be removably carried by the master .TheV

bushing, a part projecting from the lower end of the drive bushing adapted to enter the offset opening for the transmission of rotation and to allow the lower end of the drive bushing to rest on the upper end of the table structure, the lower end of said part being engageable with the upper end of the table structure when said part is out of alignment with the oiset opening, and a .pilot element extending from the lower end of the drive bushing to enter said central opening and centralize the drive bushing so that said part is readily lentered in said oiset opening and turnable in said central opening so that relative turning -between the drive bushing and table structure will cause said part to' enter the'oiiset opening.

3. A Kelly bushing for use with a rotary table assembly having a central opening and openings spaced about and spaced from the central openingv comprising a bushing body, spaced parts projecting from the lower end of the body adapted to be entered in the second named openings for the transmission of rotation from the table assembly to the body, and a pilot element on the lower end of the body projecting downwardly beyond said parts adapted to turnably engage in the central opening to centralize the body relative to the table assembly so that said parts may be readily entered in said second named openings by relative turning between the bushing and table assembly.

4. A Kelly bushing for use with a rotary table assembly having a central opening and an oiset opening comprising a body to be arranged on the table assembly, a projecting part at the lower end of the body adapted to enter the offset opening for the transmission of rotation between the table assembly and bushing, a guide extension on the lower end of the body projecting downwardly beyond said part adapted to cooperate with the central opening to position the part for easy insertion in said oiset opening. and means associated with the guide extension for holding the movement.

for driving a Kelly having body against upward 5. A Kelly bushing a shoulder adjacent its lower end and adapted for use with a master bushing having a central opening and an offset opening, the Kelly bushing comprising a body to engage around the Kelly, a

part projecting from the -body to engage in the offset opening for the transmission of rotation from the master bushing to the body, a centering extension on the lower end of the body for slidably and turnably engaging in the central open- 1 ing when the body is lowered into place so that said part may be readily entered in said offset opening by relative turning of the bushings during or following said lowering of the body, and an i internal projection in the extension engageable by the shoulder on the Kelly so that the body may be elevated and lowered by the Kelly.

, 6. A Kelly bushing for driving a Kelly and adapted for use with a rotary table assembly having a central opening and an offset opening, the Kelly bushing comprising a body to engage around the Kelly and adapted to rest on the upper end of the table assembly, a part projecting from the lower end of the body to engage in the offset opening for the transmission of rotation from the table assembly to the body when the body is resting -on the upper end of the table assembly, means carried by the body for transmitting Arotation to the Kelly, and a split sleeve assembled around the Kelly and carried by the body to project from its lower end, the sleeve being turnopening by relative turning between the body and table assembly.

7..A Kelly bushing for driving a Kelly and adapted for use with a rotary table assembly having va. central opening and an offset opening, .the Kelly bushing comprising a body to' engage around the Kelly and adapted to rest on the upper end of the table assembly, a part projecting from the lower end oi.' the body to' engage Ain .the offset opening for' the transmission of rotation from the table assembly to the body, the oiIset opening and part having contacting surfaces pitched with respect to the vertical for holding the body against upward movement relative to the master bushing, means carried by the body for transmitting rotation to the Kelly, and a split sleeve assembled around the Kelly and carried by the body to project from its lower end and slidably and turnably engageable in the central opening to centralize the body relative to the table assembly so that relative turning between the table assembly and body will engage said .part in the oiset opening- 8. A Kelly bushing for driving a Kelly and adapted for use with a master bushing having a central opening and an oiset opening spaced from the central opening, the Kelly bushing comprising a body to engage around the Kelly, a part projecting from the body to engage in the offset opening for the transmission of rotation from the master bushingto the body, a centering extension on the lower end of the body engageable in the central opening to centraline the body when it is lowered into place so that said part may be readily entered in said offset opening,

and spring means at said offset opening and said part for releasably holding the -body against upward movement relative to the master bushing.

9. A Kelly bushing for driving a Kelly and adapted for use with a master bushing having a central opening and an offset opening spaced from the central opening, the Kelly bushing comprising a body to engage around the Kelly, a part projecting from the lower end of the bodyto engage in the odset opening for the transmission of rotation from the master bushing tothe body, a centering extension on the lower end of the body turnably and slidably engageable in the central opening to centralize the body when itis lowered into place so that said part may be readily entered in said oiset opening, and spring means at said offset opening and said part for releasably holding the body against upward movement relative to the master bushing, the spring means including a shoulder at said offset opening and a spring ou said part for engaging under the shoulder.

10. A bushing structure for usein a rotary table to drive a Kelly comprising a master bushing to be carried by the table having'a cental opening v and a shoulder on the wall of the opening, a drive bushing body tc be arranged on the master bushing, a downward extension on the body for entering the opening of the master bushing, a latch on the extension engageable with said shoulder when the extension enters the opening to hold the body against upward movement, and a control for releasing the latch from said shoulder when the Kelly is raised beyond a given point.

11. A bushing structure for use in a rotary table to drive a Kelly comprising a master bushing to be carried by the table having a central opening and a shoulder on the wall oi' the opening, a drive bushing body to be arranged on the' master bushing, a downward extension on the body for entering the opening oi' the master bushing, a latch on the extension engageable with said shoulder when the extension enters the opening to hold the body against upward movement, a socket in the top of the 'master bushing, a drive lug on the lower end of the bodv for engaging in the socket, the extension serving to centralize the body so that the lug is oriented for ready engagement'in the socket, and a control for releasing the latch from said shoulder when theKelly is raised beyond a given point.

l2. A bushing structure for use in a rotary table to drive a Kelly comprising a master bushing to be carried by the table having a central opening 'and a shoulder on the wall o1' the opening, a drive bushing body to be arranged on the master bushing, a downward extension on the body for entering the opening of the master bushing, a latch on the extension engageable with said shoulder when the extension enters the opening to hold the body against upward move-- ment, and a control tor releasing thelatch from said shoulder when the Kelly is raised beyond a given point. the control includinga shiitable spring-urgedsleeve in the extension, a cam on the sleeve for retractlng the latch, and a face on the sleeve engageable by the Kelly to move the sleeve.

13. A Kelly bushing for use with a master bushing having a central opening comprising a body for arrangement n the master bushing, a part on the body engageable with the master bushing for the transmission of rotation, an extension on the body engageable in the opening to centralize the body, and latch means on the extension cooperable with the master bushing to hold the body against upward movement.

14. A drive .bushing for use on a master bushing having a central opening to drive a drill stem having an upwardly facing shoulder, the drive bushing comprising a body to be arranged on the master bushing to rotate therewith, means on the body for transmitting rotation to the drill stem, a split sleeve assembled around the drill stem and connected with the body to extend from the lower side of the body, the sleeve being engageable in the opening to centraline the body.

,and a vremovable insert in the sleeve engageable by said shoulder whereby the body may be raised and lowered by the drill stem.

15. A rotary assembly having driving sockets therein comprising a table having a central bushing receiving opening, a table bushing in said central opening and also having a central opening, the central opening oi the bushing having an upper inwardly and downwardly tapered portion and a lower cylindrical portion, a drive bushing for transmitting rotation from said table assembly to a drive stem, said drive bushing having depending drive pins on an upper portion, a pilot element projecting. from the lower end of the drive bushing of suiilcient length to extend through said tapered portion oi.' the central opening of the table bushing and slidably and turnably engage in said cylindrical portion to properly center the drive bushing in the table bushing and bring said pins into position to engage the sockets in the rotary assembly.

SPENCER W. LONG,

DISCLAIMER 2,306,130.-Spence1 W. Long, Inglewood, Calif. WELL DRILLING APPARATUS. Patent dated Dec. 22, 1942. Disclaimer led Oct. 10, 1947, by the assignee, Baash-Ross Tool Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 2, 3, and 6, 0f said patent.

[Qljfcial Gazette Nov. 18, 1947.]

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