Thrust system for a horizontal directional drill

Patent 6216797 Issued on April 17, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 11, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2029223

2726065

3679194

3850043

3888272

Feed beam
Patent #: 4207805
Issued on: 06/17/1980
Inventor: Jonsson

Safety device for rotary earth drilling apparatus
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Inventors

Assignee

Case Corporation

Application

No. 228154 filed on 01/11/1999

US Classes:

173/147, Driven flexible member causes advance173/141, ADVANCE CAUSING OR CONTROLLING MEANS173/195With flexible endless member

Examiners

Primary: Vo, Peter
Assistant: Calve, Jim

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Jansson, Shupe & Munger, Ltd.

Foreign Patent References

61371 DK 10/22/2013
421758 SU 08/22/1974

International Class

B23Q 005/00

Abstract

A thrust system for a horizontal directional drill is provided. The thrust system includes a drill boom having a drive sprocket positioned at the first end thereof and a driven sprocket positioned at the second end thereof. A carriage for supporting the horizontal drill is slidably received on the drill boom. The carriage includes idler sprockets positioned between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket in the drill boom. A serpentine chain extends about the drive sprocket, the driven sprocket and the idler sprockets in order to provide greater thrust and pullback of the drill at given torques. Rotation of the drive sprocket in a first direction draws the carriage towards the first end of the drill boom, and rotation of the drive sprocket in a second direction draws the carriage towards the second end of the drill boom.