Robert D Jahnke

US Patent:

39851893, Oct 12, 1976

Filed:

Sep 19, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/614931

Inventors:

Robert H. Jahnke - Mequon WI
David E. Lynch - Greendale WI

Assignee:

Bucyrus-Erie Company - South Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

E21B 1914

US Classification:

175 52

Abstract:

A carousel-type drill rod rack handles a plurality of drill rods having normal diameter holding portions, flats below the holding portions, and reduced necks below the flats. The upper support plate has collars that receive the holding portions and have openings sized to allow removal only when the rods are raised to bring the necks in line with the plate. Cutouts in the upper support plate define two pairs of parallel straight surfaces that engage the flats to limit rotation in either direction but allow limited rotation to provide a breakout impact, and lugs that supportingly engage the shoulders above the flats. A travel lock means includes a rotatable ring with lobes movable into and out of alignment with the shoulders at the bottoms of the necks to prevent forward axial movement when the rack is horizontal and means to lock the ring in normal and lock positions. The lower support plate has sockets for the drill rods and the sockets and lower ends of the rods have indicating holes that enable the operator to determine the rotational and vertical positions of the rods.