Richard Bruce Howell

US Patent:

20030037940, Feb 27, 2003

Filed:

Aug 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/940036

Inventors:

Richard Howell - Yorba Linda CA, US

International Classification:

B25D009/00

US Classification:

173/184000, 173/089000

Abstract:

An excavation apparatus especially useful when mounted on backhoes and other lighter vehicles used in the construction industry. The excavation apparatus does not require a winch for letting out and retracting its cable nor a reel for storing retracted cable which reduces the weight of the excavation apparatus, lowers its cost while facilitating both operation and servicing. The apparatus has a kelly assembly housing which houses an outer kelly section, and an extendable innermost kelly section adaptable for attachment of a tool. More than one extendable kelly section can be used. A rotary table rotates the kelly sections. A support structure supports the rotary table and the housing. A frame allows the housing to slide relative to the frame in a direction parallel to the axis of the assembly. A downcrowd mechanism, supported by the frame, downcrowds the support structure relative to the frame. A kelly deployment and retraction mechanism deploys all extendable inner kelly sections out of the housing and retracts them back into the housing. This mechanism has at least one kelly extension sheave supported by the frame, and a cable having one end attached to the innermost kelly section and a second end attached to either the support mechanism or the frame. The cable is alternately looped under lower extension, and over upper, extension sheaves so that the downcrowd mechanism also serves for letting out and retracting the cable.

US Patent:

20080217037, Sep 11, 2008

Filed:

Mar 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/074599

Inventors:

Richard L. Howell - Yorba Linda CA, US

International Classification:

E21B 7/02

US Classification:

173 28

Abstract:

An excavation apparatus, for mounting on track type excavator, having a mast, a sled slidably mounted on the mast, a sled driving system supported by the mast for downcrowding and upcrowding the sled along the mast, and an extendable kelly section system that prevents slippage of the sled relative to the mast. The extendable kelly section system has a non-rotating outer kelly section attached to the sled, and a non-rotating inner kelly section that is extendable from and retractable into the outer kelly section. A bushing assembly maintains the outer kelly section slidable on the mast. The inner kelly section is automatically powered into and out of the outer kelly section a distance proportional to the distance that the sled is downcrowded or upcrowded along the mast while preventing slippage of the inner kelly section relative to the outer kelly section. A rotary motor, attached to the sled, rotates a telescopic shaft housed within the non-rotating kelly sections, which provides rotary power to an excavation tool. Alternatively, a transmission is secured to the lower end of the inner kelly section and the lower end of the telescopic shaft is connected to the input shaft of the transmission to increase the torque to the excavation tool. The transmission, which does not have an external source of transmission fluid, can be a one speed or two speed and can travel downhole. A boom connector and a mechanism for downcrowding and upcrowding the mast on the boom connector provides additional drilling depth capability. A side-to-side mechanism tilts the mast relative to the plane of the boom.

US Patent:

57462771, May 5, 1998

Filed:

Nov 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/554301

Inventors:

Richard L. Howell - Garden Grove CA

International Classification:

F21C 512

US Classification:

173184

Abstract:

Augering device is disclosed which is useful for drilling holes in the ground at various angles under relatively low overhead or ceiling conditions. The device is suitable for mounting on a wide variety of vehicles ranging from the bed of small pickup trucks to very large track type caterpillars with booms. The device has an extendable mast powered by a downcrowding mechanism, a kelly assembly, and a kelly rotating mechanism. The extendable mast has a first mast member and a second mast member. A downcrowding hydraulic cylinder extends the second mast member away from the first mast member and pulls the second mast member towards the first mast member. The telescoping kelly sections include at least an outer kelly section and an inner kelly section. The outer kelly section has an axis parallel to but spaced apart from the axis of the first mast member. A bearing rotatable supports the outer kelly section and prevents axial displacement of the outer kelly section relative thereto.

US Patent:

48770914, Oct 31, 1989

Filed:

Jun 27, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/211691

Inventors:

Richard L. Howell - Garden Grove CA

International Classification:

E21C 512

US Classification:

173 89

Abstract:

A downcrowdable telescopic augering apparatus and drilling rig is disclosed that has a low overhead requirement and yet can drill large diameter holes ot great depths. The invention is especially useful for drilling foundation holes. One embodiment of the invention can ready over walls and in-place equipment for drilling holes. One embodiment of the invention can drill holes at almost any angle desired into the earth. One embodiment can drill holes on steeply inclined terrains. Because of its low overhead requirement, the drilling rigs of this invention can be used inside existing building without damaging the ceilings or roofs to drill foundation holes for mounting new machinery. The downcrowd means of this invention does not substantially increase the height of the augering apparatus or drilling rig.

US Patent:

51938014, Mar 16, 1993

Filed:

Oct 18, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/779557

Inventors:

Peter M. Coombs - Tustin CA
Richard S. Howell - Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Assignee:

Gradco (Japan) Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

B65H 3910

US Classification:

271293

Abstract:

A moving bin sheet sorter has rotatable cams which engage portions of the sorter trays to move the trays at the ends adjacent to a sheet entry location between positions at which those tray ends are closely spaced above and below the sheet entry location and further spaced apart at the sheet entry location for receiving sheets supplied from a copier or printer. The cams are driven by an electric motor which is controlled to operate at a low speed as the trays are initially engaged and disengaged from the cam and a high speed during the major movement of the trays, thereby reducing noise resulting from high speed impact and shock loading of the cams and cooperative portions of the trays, as well as reducing noise resulting from high speed impact of said cooperative portions of the trays in guides for the trays.