Patent ID: 6182773
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A blasthole drill comprising:a frame supported for movement over a ground surface,a mast supported by said frame for movement relative thereto between a vertical position and a plurality of non-vertical positions, said mast defining a drill hole axis which moves in a plane as said mast moves relative to said frame;a drill pipe supported relative to said mast for movement along said drill hole axis;a drill deck which is supported by said frame and which includes an opening through which said drill pipe extends such that said drill pipe moves relative to said drill deck when said mast moves relative to said frame; andfirst and second flexible seal flaps connected to said drill deck such that said first seal flap at least partially overlaps and engages said second seal flap, and such that said first and said second seal flaps are separable to engage opposite sides of the drill pipe to substantially seal said opening around the drill pipe in order to minimize passage of undesirable material through said opening.