US2964296A - Feed mechanism for drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

K. c. CLUFF FEED MECHANISM FOR DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1959 Dec. 13, 1960 7 2,964,296

INVENTOR. KENNETH C. C LUFF 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1960 K. c. CLUFF 2,964,296

FEED MECHANISM FOR DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvron. KENNETH C. C LUF'F -Dec. 13,1960 I CLUFF 2,964,296

FEED MECHANISM FOR DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 N N N 9 g 5 n no ,I:

yx; N3 g G. jw v H 5 P v 8 N :3 g

w v m N lmmvrox KENNETH C -Q BY 4 ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1960 K. C..C LUFF 2,964,296

FEED MECHANISM FOR DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1959 4 sheets-sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

KENNETH C. CLUFF BY v ' ATTORNEY-S United States Patent i e FEED MECHANISM FOR DRILLING APPARATUS Kenneth C. Clutf, 21 Waldo St., New London, Conn.

Filed Feb. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 793,048

6 Claims. (Cl. 175-114) This invention relates to an improved feed mechanism or head for drilling apparatus.

The present invention has the broad object of improving the performance of drill feeding or drilling mechanisms of present day construction, such as those of the type utilizing diamond drills.

While the present invention has many advantages, over conventional feeding heads, two advantages of particular importance are worthy of special note. One of these derives from the fact that the device comprising the present invention is so designed as to efficiently accomplish the work of two wholly different and separate pieces of machinery presently required, as a result of which the weight of the apparatus that must be moved from place to place is approximately halved. This is of particular importance, not only for the purpose of reducing expense in drilling operations, but also by reason of the fact that less labor is required, accompanied by distinct savings in time, considering the frequent movement of drilling apparatus of this type.

As a second advantage of importance, the present apparatus is so designed as to completely eliminate two distinct steps in the operation of present day, conventionalheads, which steps are costly in time and drilling efliciency. One of these is the step of changing or add ing feed rods. The other is the step of halting operation of the machine for the purpose of retracting the screw feed mechanism to permit a fresh bite to be taken.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an arrangement wherein there is a continuous, unending feed, and it is proposed in this way to increase production by a distinct, appreciable percentage, which obviously would be of great importance in mining operations, or in any of various other types of drilling operations utilizing heavy duty, diamond drills and similar apparatus.

, Another object of importance is to facilitate the movement of the apparatus into drilling position, and to facilitate to an equal extent the removal of said apparatus following completion of the drilling.

Yet another object is to facilitate the control and the normal operation of the mechanism, through the medium of a construction that will respond instantaneously to the manipulation of the control handles and related pieces of equipment.

Yet another object of importance is to provide apparatus of the character stated that will be exceedingly inexpensive, considering the highly improved characteristics of the same when compared to conventional mechanisms now required to discharge the same functions.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of drilling apparatus according to the present invention; 7 I

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view substantially on line 2- 2 of Figure 1;

Patented Dec. 13, 1960 Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, on the same scale as Figure 2, taken substantially on line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view, on the same scale as Figure 2, taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, on substantially the same scale as Figure 2, taken approximately on line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the same scale as Figure 2, taken approximately on line 66 of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the same scale as Figure 2, taken approximately on line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, generally designated at 10 is a drill rod assembly which will be described in full detail hereinafter. This extends through a combined advancing, rotating, and retracting mechanism for the drill rod assembly, which mechanism has been generally designated at 11.

Mechanism 11 includes a housing or casing generally designated 12 formed with a front end plate 14 having a circular main portion 15 integral with a part-circular extension portion 16 projecting outwardly from the periphery of the main portion. End plate 14 lies in a plane perpendicular to the length of the assembly 10, said assembly passing through a center opening of the end plate designated at 17 and formed in a centrally located drilling rod bearing retainer 20 of cup-shape integral with main portion 15 (Figure 2).

A front side wall section 22 of casing 12 is secured 'to the front end plate by a marginal series of connecting bolts 24, passing through registering openings of the front end plate and of a marginal, outwardly directed, planiform flange 25 of section 22. Section 22 has a partly cylindrical extension or auxiliary portion 26 concentric with extension portion 16, and integral with a generally cylindrical main portion 27. Main portion 27 is concentric with the main portion 15 of the front end plate 14.

The casing 12 also includes a rear section 28, having an inwardly offset part 30 integral with a main part 3-1. Part 30 is of a diameter less than that of the main part 31, .and as will be noted, main part 31 is integral with an extension portion 32 of partly cylindrical form, aligned longitudinally of the casing with the portion 26 of the front section 22.

At its forward end, the casing section 28 is formed with a connecting flange 33 secured by bolts or equivalent means to the front section 22. At its rear end, casing section 28 is formed with an outwardly directed, planiform flange 34, secured by a marginal series of bolts 35 to the periphery of a rear end plate 36 shaped correspondingly to the front end plate, so as to include a main portion 37 integral with a centrally located drill rod bearing retainer 38 aligned coaxially of the casing with the retainer 20. Also formed integrally upon the rear end plate 36 is an auxiliary bearing retainer 40 aligned coaxially with a correspondingly shaped, cupped auxiliary retainer 18 of the front end plate.

Referring to Figures 3 and 6, the casing further includes a drive pinion housing 42 fitting snugly within a circumferential recess 43 defined in the casing through the provision of the inwardly offset part 30 of section 28. Housing 42 is formed integrally with a mounting plate 44 secured by bolts 45 to the casing sections 22, 28 respectively. Centrally formed on the housing 42 .is an outwardly projecting, cup-shaped bearing re tainer 46.

accusev This completes the construction of the casing or housing 12.

Turning now to the drill rod assembly 10, as will be noted from Figure 1, said assembly includes, in the illustrated example, a drill rod section 48 having at its forward end a tapered, threaded extension 50 adapted to engage in a complementarily shaped recess provided in the rear extremity of a leading drill rod section 52. It will be understood that the sections 48, 52 cooperate in defining a drill rod generally designated at 53. It will further be understood that although only two sections are illustrated, there would obviously be any number of said sections, according to the length of the bore that is being formed by means of the drilling apparatus. Additional sections would be coupled together, by means of the connecting arrangement shown in Figure 1 by way of example. Obviously, any of various types of separable connections can be employed, for the purpose of joining together adjacent, end-abutting drill rod sections to produce a drill rod 53 of the necessary length. In normal drilling operations, additional sections are added on, at the trailing end of the drill rod, as necessary until the desired depth of the hole has been reached.

The leading section, as well as the section or sections 48, are formed with uniformly spaced, circumferentially extending grooves 54, the purpose of which will be made apparent hereinafter.

Formed in the several rod sections are axial passages, the passage of the section 52 being designated at 55. Said passages would be in communication through the full length of the dn'llingrod, of course, and might be utilized for various purposes required according to the particular type of drilling operation being performed, as for example for the circulation of drilling mud through the full length of the drill stem or rod assembly.

Secured to the leading end of the section 52 is a conventional drilling bit 56.

In accordance with the present invention, the mechanism 11 is adapted to advance or retract the drill rod or stem assembly 10. Further, the mechanism 11 is adapted to rotate the assembly in either direction, at a selected, adjusted rate of speed. In accordance with the invention, mechanism 11 is designed to permit the advancement of retraction of the assembly 10 either with or without accompanying rotation, in a selected direction, of the assembly 10. The advantages of this arrangement will be discussed in full detail hereinafter.

Generally designated at 57 is a driving linkage for the drill rod assembly 10. This includes, at the input end of the linkage, a drive shaft 58. Shaft 58 would be connected to any suitable source of motive power, not shown, and it will be understood that the connection between the prime mover and the shaft 58 'wouldinclude a forward-reverse transmission and clutch, neither of which have been shown in view of the fact that these are wholly conventional mechanisms.

Referring to Figure 6, the shaft 58 is secured to a beveled drive pinion 60 journaled in housing 42, in mesh with the periphery of a large diameter, beveled spur gear 62 centrally apertured to receive a sleeve-like forward gear carrier 64 in the bore of which the drill rod section 52 is free to rotate. The carrier 64 is in the form of a sleeve externally formed with spline ribs 66, with the gear 62 being correspondingly splined, so as to be engaged with the carrier 64 for rotation conjointly with the carrier.

Designated at 68 is a spacer washer, receiving an axial extension of the carrier 64. Bearing against the spacer washer 68 is a ball bearing 70 through which the extension of the carrier projects, said bearing 70 being mounted within the retainer 20. A retaining nut 72 is engaged against the bearing 70, being threaded upon external threads 73 of the end of the carrier '64.

Also splined upon the carrier are spur gears74, 76.

There are more gear teeth on the gear 74 than there are on the gear '76.

Integrally formed on the sleeve-like main portion 77 of carrier 64 is a collar 78, which cooperates with the portion 77 in defining the forward gear carrier 64. The collar 7 8, at its periphery, is engaged with the inner race of an annular ball bearing 80, the outer race of which is engaged against an internal flange 81 of the casing section 28.

Also splined upon the carrier 64, in contact with the collar 78, is a disc 82, one face of which has a transversely concave, annular, shallow recess 84 formed with a spirally shaped r'ib defining a spiral groove 86. This is shown to particular advantage in Figures 2 and 6.

In mesh with the gears 74, 76 are spur gears 88, 90, disposed within the extension portion 26 of the front casing section 22 (Figure 2). At 92 there has been designated an elongated, hollow balance shaft, extending between the extension or auxiliary portions 26, 32 of the front and rear casing sections 22, 28 respectively.

Balance shaft 92, at its opposite ends, is journaled in ball bearings 04 mounted within the cupped auxiliary bearing retainers 1'8, 40 respectively. Threads are formed upon the opposite extremities of the balance shaft, receiving retaining nuts 96 engaged against the respective bearings 94 within the bearing retainers 18, 40.

The gears 88, are in substantially face-contacting relation, and the contacting faces of the gears are formed with confronting, communicating recesses defining a generally circular cavity 98, in which is rotatable a straight dog 100 (see Figures 2 and 7). Dog 100 extends diametrically of the cavity 98, as shown in Figure 7, and projects through diametrically opposed, longitudinal slots 101 formed in the balance shaft where said shaft extends through the cavity. Accordingly, the balance shaft and dog are conjointly rotatable.

The opposite ends of the dog 100 may engage lugs 102 (see Figure 7) integrally formed upon the gear 88 within cavity 98. Or, should the dog 100 be shifted from its Figure 2 position, to engage the opposite wall of the cavity, said dog will now be substantially coplanar and engageable with lugs 104 formed on gear 90 and corresponding to the lugs 102.

Integrally formed upon the balance shaft 92, within the respective auxiliary portions 26, 32 are collars 106, which,

hold the balance shaft against endwise movement in respect to the casing.

As previously noted herein, the balance shaft is of hollow formation, and extending within the bore of the balance shaft is a shifting rod 108, to one end of which the dog 100 is secured. Rod 108 is movable longitudinally of the balance shaft, and at one end projects to the rod 108. Thus, on rocking of the lever 112 from' its Figure 2 position in a clockwise direction, viewing the same as in Figure 2, the rod 108 will be shifted longitudinally toward the left in Figure 2, so as to disengage dog 100 from lugs 102, and engage said dog with the lugs 104.

A shifting sleeve 116 is extended within the balance shaft, and is movable longitudinally of the balance shaft,

also being movable longitudinally of the shift rod 108. Sleeve 116, at its inner end, is secured to a diametrically extending dog 118 extending through opposed longitudinal slots of the balance shaft within the auxiliary portion 32. The dog 118, in one extreme position of the sleeve .116, is engageable with diametrically opposite In the opposite extreme posilugs 120 of a gear 122.

tion of the sleeve 116, the dog is engageable with lugs 124 of a gear 126.

1 It will be understood that the arrangement of gears 122, 126, dog 118, and lugs 120, 124 within the auxiliary portion 32 is identical to the arrangement found in the auxiliary portion 26, having regard to gears; 88, 90 and dog 100 engageable selectively with either the lugs 102 or the lugs 104.

For the purpose of shifting the sleeve 116, there is provided a second shift lever 128, fulcrumed on bracket 110, and engaged with a circumferentially grooved shift collar 130 secured to the outer, projecting end of sleeve 116.

I The gears 122, 126 are in mesh with gears 132, 134 splined as at 136 upon a rear gear carrier generally designated 138 one end of which is journaled in bearing 140 mounted within retainer 38 and engaged by retaining nut 142 threaded upon carrier 138.

As will be noted from Figure 3, there are more teeth on the gear 134 than on the gear 132, and of course, the gears 122, 126 would be toothed complementarily to the toothing of the gears with which they are respectively in mesh.

. At this point, it is to be noted that the gear ratio between gears 74, 88 is different from the ratio between gears 76, 90. Further, the ratio between gears 132,

the complementarily splined gears 132, 134. Gears 132,:

134 are thus connected to the carrier 138 for rotation eonjointly therewith.

Carrier 138 further includes a largediameter, thick block 144, disposed at the inner end of the sleeve 139. I Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the circular block 144 comprises three mating, interfitted, segmentally shaped block sections 146 each extending over an angular distance of one-hundred twenty degrees of the circumference of block 144. Sections 14 6 are secured fixedly to each other at their peripheries by connecting bolts 148, and as will be noted from Figure 4, each section, at one of its flat side surfaces, is formed with a, deep recess 150, While having in its opposite, side surface a shallower side recess 152. The recesses 150,

152 of adjacent, abutting sections are in full communi-- Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in the periphery of the block 144 there is provided a circumferential series of uniformly spaced notches 158, in any one of which is engageable the conically shaped tip of a locking pin 160, mounted for movement radially of the block into and out of engagement with the block. Pin 160 is shifted radially inwardly of the block through the provision of a cam block 162 (see Figure 2) having a cam surface engaged with a correspondingly shaped cam surfaceon the outer end of the pin 160. Responsive to movement of the cam block'162 in a pathparallel to be, shifted radially inwardly of the block.

theaxis of rotation 'of the block 144, the pin 160 will Ma nual operation of the cam block is provided- I In Figures 2 and 3-, it will be seen thatthe; block 162 til-idesin alJ-shaped'cam block retainer-163 secured to of the cam block, to limit movement of the cam block inthe opposite direction.

Designated at are stub shafts or axles (see Figure 4) respectively projecting across the central portions of the cavities 154. Freely rotatable upon the shafts 170 are drill stem feed wheels 172 each of which rotates in a plane that is disposed radially of the axis of rotation of the drill stem or rod assembly 10, each of said wheels 172 turning on an axis normal to the axis of rotation of the drill rod assembly.

The particular formation 'of each wheel 172 is of importance. As will be noted, each wheel 172 at one face thereof, has a large diameter portion 173, which is relatively thin, and which is formed with a peripheral series of teeth. The portion 173 of each wheel is integral with a thick, smaller-diameter portion 174.

The teeth of each portion 173 have been designated at 176 and as shown in Figure 2 are in mesh with the disc 82, extending into the spiral groove 86 of said disc 82. Each wheel 172, of course, turns in a plane per. pendicular to the plane of rotation of the disc 82. Rotation of disc 82 about the axis of rotation of the drill rod assembly 10, as a result, causes rotation ,of the several wheels 172 about their axes defined by the stub shafts or axles 170.

Designated at 178 are the teeth of the thicker portion: 174. As will be seen from Figure 2, the teeth 178- are uniformly spaced about the circumference of the smaller diameter wheel portion 174. However, asseen from Figure 4, it will be observed that each tooth 178 is formed with a V-shaped notch 180 intermediate its opposite sides.

It is now appropriate to note, from Figures 1, 4 and 5, that each drill rod section, within its circumferential grooves 54, has a circumferential series of teeth 182. These are complementary to the notched teeth of the wheel portions 174, as clearly shown in Figure 4.

With particular reference at this point to Figure 2, the teeth 178 extend into the circumferential grooves 54, so that in effect, there is a rack-and-pinion engagement between the wheel portions 174 and the drill rod assemby. Therefore, on rotation of the wheels 172 about the axles 170, the drill rod assembly will be shifted in the direction of its length, in such a way as to either advance or retract the same, as the case may be.

It is also to be noted that due to the engagement 'of the teeth 182 in the notches of the teeth178, the drill rod assembly will be rotated conjointly with the rear gear carrier, during the operation of advancing or retracting said assembly. I

It is now appropriate to consider the operation of the device.

In use, drive shaft 58 rotates drive pinion 60, driving beveled gear 62. This drives the forward gear carrier Assuming 'for the sake of example that dog 100 is in the Figure 2 position, the rotation of gear 88 will cause corresponding rotation of the dog and, accordingly, -of l the balance shaft 92, since the dog extends through th j opposed longitudinal slots of the balance shaft.

This in turn causes rotation of dog 118 with the 'bal 'i ance shaft 92, and if the dog 118 should be in the Figure will cause corresponding rotation 'of v 2 position, said dog the gear 122.;

Gear l22will accordingly cause rotation of thegear'i 132, and hence of the carrier "138 on which gear 132 is :splined.

"With the carrier rotating, 'the wheels -172 -will be turned bodily, traveling in a circular path about the drill rod assembly.

his "to be noted, at-this point, that disc 82 will have been already rotating, with the forward gear carrier "64. Therefore, wheels 172 will be rotated about the axes defined by their respective axles 170, simultaneously'with travel of the wheels bodily in the above mentioned circular path about the drill rod assembly axis.

Rotation of the wheels 172 about the axles 170 will cause shifting of the drill rod "or "stem assembly 10 in the direction of "its length. Travel of the Wheels 172 in the circular path about the drill rod assembly .10 will cause rotation of the assembly 10 about its longitudinal axis, due to the interenga'gern'ent between the notched tseeth 178 and the teeth 182 provided within-the grooves Therefore, in normal operation of the device, the drill nod assembly will be advanced to penetratethe formation in which the apparatus is being used. Simultaneously with the advancement, of the assembly 10 into the formation in which the hole is to beformed, there will be a twisting or rotation of the assembly, to produce operation of the drill bit in the drilling of the hole.

The speed of rotation of assembly 10 is controllable, Within a predetermined range, according to the hardness of the formation being drilled.

This control results from the arrangement utilizing a first set of gears 74, 88 of one ratio, a second :set of gears 76,9!) of another ratio,.a thirdset .of gears 134, 126 which will also :be of .a certain, selected ratio, and a fourth set of gears 132, 122 which will be of a ratio different from that of the third set, in the same manner as the ratio of the first set is different from the ratio of the second set.

-In one arrangement, dogs 100, 118 :can -be 'in the Figure 2 positions shown. This will drive the rear gear carrier through the medium of the first and fourth sets of gears, producing rotation of the rear carrier (and hence of the drill rod assembly) at a pre-selectedrrate of speed.

.In another arrangement, .dog 100 may be engaged with gear 90, with dog 118 left in its Figure 2 position. This will rotate carrier 138 through the medium of the second and fourth sets.

In 'yet another arrangement, as will be obvious, carrier 138 may be driven through the medium of the first and third sets of spur gears, while in a fourth arrangement rotation of the rear carrier may be effected by drivingly linking the second and fourth sets.

All, this, of course, is permitted by operation of the levers 112, 128 to selective positions relative to each other.

Assuming that the drilling operation is to commence in a hole that has previously been formed, or in any other situation in which the actual drilling is to begin at a substantial distance forwardly of the mechanism 11, it is possible to advance the drill rod assembly without rotation thereof. This is done by engaging the lock pin 160 with the block 144 of the rear carrier, while locating dog 100 in aneutral position between and wholly out of engagement with both the lugs 102 and lugs 104. In these circumstances, when shaft 58 is driven from the source of motive power, the forward gear carrier, and hence the gears 88, 90 will be driven. However, no drive will be transmitted to the rear gear carrier since the balance shaft 92 will not be driven in these circumstanQS- Alternatively, the :rear carrier 138 can be disengaged, even though the lugs 102 or lugs 104 remain engaged with dog 100. In .these circumstances, one need merely 8 shift the dog 1-18'to-a neutral position, so that itwill not drive the gear 122 or 126.

'-It will thus be seen that with shaft 58 rotating, the assembly 10 w'ill'be advanced, until it reaches the point at which the drilling operation is to commence. At this time, the advancement of the assembly without rotation thereof is of course no longer desirable, and one merely operates lever 112 or 128 as the case may be to engage the driving linkage with the rear carrier, this being possible without halting the forward movement of the assembly. The assembly will now be caused to rotate, to start the drilling operation.

At the completion of the drilling operation, the entire assembly can be retracted without rotation. One merely reverses the direction of rotation of the shaft 58, while operating lever 112 or 128 to a position such as to disengage the carrier 138 from its associated driving linkage. In these circumstances, longitudinal movement of the drill rod assembly in a retrograde direction will occur, without rotation of said assembly.

Of course, during the retraction of the assembly, it can be rotated in a direction which is reverse to the direction in which the assembly 10 is turned during the actual drilling, this being possible by suitable operation of the shift levers 112, 128 to engage the rear carrier 138 with the reversely rotating gears associated therewith.

It will be seen that the arrangement is one which permits a wide variety of conditions to be efficiently met, with a high degree of ease and speed so far as the operator of the drilling equipment is concerned. It will be further noted that the arrangement is one which eliminates'heavy equipment now required for rotating the drill stem, advancing the same, etc. In one, compact, readily portable unit, applicant achieves all the functions which have heretofore been performed by a plurality of individual, heavy units, all of which must be separately transported from placeto place. Apparatus of the kind illustrated is moved with much frequency, and in fact, must be moved, often great distances, each time it is to be used. In accordance with the construction illustrated and described, the portability of the entire drilling apparatus is markedly enhanced, permitting reduction in the number of workers, considerable savings in time, and the attainment of several other obviously desirable objects.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for rotating and axially feeding a drill bit, comprising a housing; a rod journaled therein and having a leading end to which a drill bit is connectable,

said rod having a longitudinal series of circumferential grooves; axially spaced first and second sleeves in the housing receiving the rod, said sleeves being free to rotate relative to each other and to the rod; means for rotating one of said sleeves; a driving linkage of the change-speed type connecting the sleeves for conjoint rotation at different speeds; a disc concentric with the rod and secured to the first sleeve for rotation therewith, said disc having one face formed with a spiral groove having said axis as its center; bearing means connected to the second sleeve for rotation therewith; and at least one wheel journaled in the bearing means for rotation about an axis normal to that of the drill rod, said wheel having its entire area disposed laterally outwardly from'the rod axis so as to be carried bodily in a circular path thereabout 'at the rotational speed of the second sleeve, the wheel having a first series of teeth meshed with'the spiral groove so as to rotate the wheel about the secondnamed axis responsive to rotation of the sleeves at dif-. ferent speeds, said wheel having a second series of teeth in mesh with the grooves to constitute the wheel and rod as a pinion and rack operative to shift the rod axially responsive to rotation of the wheel about the secondnamed axis, the wall of each groove being shaped for engaging the teeth of the second series against slippage in a direction circumferentially of the rod, whereby to interlock the rod and wheel for conjoint rotation about the second axis 'in response to travel of the wheel in said circular path.

2. A device for rotating and axially feeding a drill bit, comprising a housing; a rod journaled therein and having a leading end to which a drill bit is connectable, said rod having a longitudinal series of circumferential grooves each of which has a wall formed with teeth angularly spaced about the rod; axially spaced first and second sleeves in the housing receiving the rod, said. sleeves being free to rotate relative to each other and to the rod;-

means for rotating one of the sleeves; a driving linkage of the change-speed type connecting the sleeves for conjoint rotation at different speeds; a disc concentric with the rod and secured to the first sleeve for rotation' therewith, said disc having one face formed with a spiral groove having said axis as its center; bearing means connected to the second sleeve for rotation therewith; and at 168.811.0118 wheel journaled in the bearing means for rotation about an axis normal to that of the "drill rod, said wheel having its entire area disposed laterally outwardly from the rod axis so as to be carried bodily in a circular path thereabout at the rotational speed of the second sleeve, the wheel having side-by-side, rigidly joined portions one of which has .a peripheral series of teeth meshed with the spiral groove so as to rotate the wheel about the second-named axis responsive to rotation of the sleeves at different speeds, the other portion of the wheel having a peripheral series of teeth in mesh withthe grooves to constitute the wheel and rod as a pinion and rack operative to shift the rod axially responsive to rotation of the wheel about the second-named axis, the teeth of the second-named wheel portion having notches mating with the teeth of the rod to interlock the rod and wheel for conjoint rotation about the second axis in response to travel of the wheel in said circular ath.

3. A device for rotating and axially feeding a drill bit, comprising a housing; a rod journaled therein and having a leading end to which a drill bit is connectable, said rod having a longitudinal series of circumferential grooves each of which has a wall formed with teeth angularly spaced about the rod circumference; axially spaced first and second sleeves in the housing receiving the rod, said sleeves being rotatable relative to each other and to the rod; means for rotating one of the sleeves; a driving linkage of the change-speed type connecting the sleeves for conjoint rotation at different speeds; a disc concentric with the rod and lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis, said disc being secured to the first sleeve for rotation therewith and having a face formed with a spiral groove having said axis as its center; a bearing block projecting radially outwardly from and rigidly connected to the second sleeve so as to rotate about said axis of the rod; at least one wheel journaled in the bearing block for rotation in a plane perpendicular to that of the disc, about an axis normal to the axis of the rod, said wheel v. having its entire area disposed laterally outwardly from the rod axis so. as to be carried bodily in a circular path thereabout at the rotational speed of the second sleeve, the wheel-having side-by-side, rigidly joined portions in parallel planes one of which portions has a peripheral series of teeth meshed with the spiral groove so as to rotate the wheel about the second-named axis responsive to rotation of the sleeves at different speeds, the other portion of the wheel having a peripheral series of teeth in mesh with the grooves to constitute the wheel and rod as a pinion and rack operative to shift the rod axially re-- sponsive to rotation of the wheel about the second-namedrod having a longitudinal series of circumferential grooves each of which has a wall formed with teeth projecting.

radially outwardly from the rod axis and angularly spaced about the circumference of the rod; axially spaced first and second sleeves in the housing receiving the rod, said sleeves being rotatable relative to each other and to the rod; means for rotating one of the sleeves; a driving link-'- age of the change-speed type connecting the sleeves for conjoint rotation at different speeds, said linkage including at least one gear secured to each sleeve for rotation therewith, gears in mesh with the respective first-named gears, and a driving connection between the secondnamed gears; a disc concentric with the rod and lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis, said disc being secured Y to the first sleeve for rotation therewith and having one face in confronting relation to the second sleeve and formed with a spiral groove having said axis as its center; a bearing block projecting radially outwardly from the second sleeve adjacent said face of thedisc and rigidly connected to the first sleeve so as to rotate about said axis of the rod; at least one wheel journaled in the hearing block for rotation in a plane perpendicular to that of the disc about an axis normal to the rod axis, said disc, block, and wheel being disposed between the first-named gears and being bridged by the driving connection, said wheel having its entire area disposed laterally outwardly from the rod axis so as to be carried bodily by the block in a circular path about said rod axis at the rotational speed of the second sleeve, the wheel having side-by-side, rigidly joined portions in parallel planes, one of which wheel portions has a peripheral series of teeth meshed with the spiral groove so as to rotate the wheel about the second-named axis responsive to rotation of the sleeves at difierent speeds, the other portion of the wheel having a peripheral series of teeth in mesh with the grooves to constitute the wheel and rod as a pinion and rack operativetto shift the rod axially responsive to rotation of the wheel about the second-named axis, the teeth of the second-named wheel portion having notches mating with the teeth of the rod to interlock the rod and wheel for conjoint rotation about the second axis responsive to travel of the wheel in its circular path.

5. A device for rotating and axially feeding a drill bit, comprising a housing; a rod journaled therein and having a leading end to which a drill bit is connectable, said rod having a longitudinal series of circumferential grooves each of which has a wall formed with teeth projecting radially outwardly from the rod axis and angularly spaced about the circumference of the rod; axially spaced first and second sleeves in the housing receiving the rod, said sleeves being rotatable relative to each other and to the rod; means for rotating one of the sleeves; a driving linkage of the change-speed type connecting the sleeves for conjoint rotation at difierent speeds, said linkage including a pair of first gears secured to the first sleeve for rotation therewith, a pair of second gears respectively in mesh with the respective first gears, a pair of third gears secured to the second sleeve for rotation therewith, a pair of fourth gears respectively in mesh with the respective third gears, and a driving connection between the third and fourth gears including clutch means operatively arranged to selectively, drivingly connect either third gear with either fourth gear; a disc concentric with the rod and lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis, said disc being secured to the first sleeve for rotation there,

sweetest with fan'd having --one face in confronting relation to the second sleeveand'formed with a spira'l groove having said axis as its center; abearing block projecting radially outwardly from the second sleeve adjacent said face of *the disc and rigidly connected to the first sleeve so as to rotate about said axis of the rod; at least one wheel journaled in the bearing block for rotation in a plane perpendicular to that of the disc about an axis normal to the rod axis, said disc, block, and wheel being disposed between the first-named gearsand being bridged by the driving connection, said wheel having its entire area disposed laterally outwardly from the rod axis so as 'tobe carried bodily by the block in a circular path about said rod axis at therota'tional speed of the second sleeve,'the wheel having side-by-side, rigidly joined portions in'parallel planes, one of which wheel portions has a peripheral series of teeth meshed with the spiral groove so as to rotate the wheel about the second-named axis responsive to rotation of the sleeves at different speeds, the other portion of the wheel having a peripheral series of teeth in mesh with the grooves to constitute the wheel and rod as a pinion and rack operative to shift the rod axially responsive to rotation of the wheel about the secondnamed axis, the teeth of the second-named wheel portion having notches mating with the teeth of the rod to interlock the rod and wheel for conjoint rotation about the second axis responsive to travel of the wheel in its circular path.

6. A device forrotating and axially feeding a drillbit,

as in claim 5, wherein the driving connection includes a tubular shaft journaled in the housing laterally outwardly from the rod in parallel relation with said rod, each of the third and fourth gears being rotatably carried by the shaft and being rotatable thereon in respect to the shaft and to theother third and fourth gears,'lugs on the several third and fourth gears, a shifting rod axially slidable on the shaft between opposite extreme positions and including a dog engaging the shaft for rotation with the shifting -rod, said dog being disposed for drivingly engaging the lugs of one third gear in one of said extreme positions and for drivingly engaging the lugs of the fourth gear 'in the other extreme position of the shifting rod, a shifting sleeve mounted on the shifting rod within the shaft and slidable between opposite extreme positions in respect to the shaft and shifting rod, a dog on the shifting sleeve disposed for drivingly engaging the lugs of one fourth gearin one extreme position of the shifting sleeve and the lugs of the other fourth gear in the opposite extreme position of the shifting sleeve, said shaft drivingly engaging the dog of the shifting sleeve in both extreme positions of the shifting sleeve, and operating handles on the shifting rod and shifting sleeve respectively for moving thesarne to selected extreme positions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 865,148 Alsleben Sept. 3, 1907

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