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:
Apr. 13, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 12, 2007
Louis C. Hartke, Otley, IA (US);
Louis C. Hartke, Otley, IA (US);
Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US);
Abstract
A biased door member is provided in an external wall of a drill rod supply magazine mounted on a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine. The door member swings inwardly from a first position parallel to the external wall to a second position within the distal column. At least one cut-out is formed in the external wall at the bottom of the retaining guides located at the longitudinal ends of the magazine. The cut-out creates a window through which the added drill rod is inserted. In operation, a drill rod is moved through the biased door member and window cut-outs into the distal column. The pocket of a rod transfer mechanism is positioned below the last column, and a rod lifter lowers the added drill rod into the pocket. The rod transfer mechanism then moves the added drill rod into alignment with the drill string.