The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 14, 2025
Filed:
Dec. 09, 2024
Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment Llc, Denison, TX (US);
Isaac A Jones, Mackinaw, IL (US);
Christopher R. Beasley, Peoria, IL (US);
Matthew Meredith Noble, Gainesville, TX (US);
Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Denison, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and system for capturing and aligning a drill pipe of a surface drill includes a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. Each arm assembly features an end effector coupled to a position adjustment mechanism configured to receive a plurality of shims for positional adjustments relative to the drill pipe. The end effectors include ramp features and elongate fingers forming ends of the effectors. The arm assemblies are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other, creating a receptacle for the drill pipe. The method includes positioning the arm assemblies on a mast, actuating them upward and inward, engaging the drill pipe with the elongate fingers, guiding the drill pipe along the ramp features, and capturing the drill pipe in the receptacle formed by the end effectors.