Patent ID: 8584774
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A drill system for use with a drill rod, the system comprising: a support member; a drill assembly movably associated with the support member and configured to be connected to the drill rod; and a centralizing device movably associated with the support member and configured to receive the drill rod, the centralizing device including a movable jaw and a latch arm connected to the jaw and configured to move the jaw between an open position and a closed position for retaining the drill rod, the latch arm being pivotable toward an unlocked position in order to move the jaw toward the open position and having a locking feature configured to hold the latch arm in a locked position to thereby hold the jaw in the closed position; wherein the support member includes a cam member disposed proximate an end of the support member, the cam member being engageable with the latch arm when the centralizing device is moved toward the end of the support member, and wherein upon engagement with the latch arm, the cam member is configured to move the latch arm away from the locked position to thereby move the jaw to the open position.