Patent Abstract:
A horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine that includes a rod box that has a large capacity, which allows the HDD machine to operate continuously for longer periods of time. The rod box has an upper end and a lower end and is pivotally connected to a frame of the HDD machine at a pivot axis positioned adjacent the lower end of the rod box. The rod box is pivotally movable between a stowed position and an operational position. The rod box obstructs movement of a drill head of the HDD machine when in the stowed position and is laterally offset from the drill head when in the operational position so as to not interfere with movement of the drill head. The rod box is tapered such that a width is larger adjacent the upper end of the rod box as compared to the lower end of the rod box.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/271,053, filed Dec. 22, 2015, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Utility lines for water, electricity, gas, telephone, and cable television are often run underground for reasons of safety and aesthetics. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is often used for placement of such utility lines. In a typical horizontal directional drilling sequence, the horizontal directional drilling machine drills a hole into the ground at an oblique angle and then drives a series of interconnected drill rods (i.e., a drill string) along a substantially horizontal path to create a horizontal hole. It is common to attach a utility line or other conduit to the drill string so that it is dragged back through the hole. 
         [0003]    A typical horizontal directional drilling machine includes a frame on which is mounted a drive mechanism that can be slidably moved along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The drive mechanism is adapted to rotate the drill string about its longitudinal axis. Sliding movement of the drive mechanism along the frame, in concert with the rotation of the drill string, causes the drill string to be longitudinally advanced into or withdrawn from the ground. 
         [0004]    A horizontal directional drilling machine also includes a rod box (i.e., a rack or magazine) for storing rods (i.e., pipes or other elongated members) used to make the drill strings. The more drill rods that are stored on the horizontal directional drilling machine, the longer the horizontal directional drilling machine can operate continuously. Further, storing drill rods on the horizontal directional drilling machine makes transportation and operation of the machine more efficient. 
         [0005]    However, horizontal directional drilling machines are constrained by certain size requirements, and, therefore, the size of the rod box on the horizontal directional drilling machine is also constrained to certain size requirements. For example, the height of the horizontal directional drilling machine can be limited based on the location of the machine&#39;s center of gravity so as to prevent instability of the machine. Further, the width of the rod box, and the horizontal directional drilling machine in general, is also important as the horizontal directional drilling machine will need to be moved (i.e., driven) to the worksite from a trailer. Therefore, the ability to fit through certain narrow openings, such as gates, is important to the usefulness of the horizontal directional drilling machine. 
         [0006]    Therefore, improvements are needed to increase or at least maintain (e.g., relative to a standard rod box) the capacity of rod boxes while also maintaining certain horizontal directional drilling machine dimensions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure relates generally to a pivotable rod box for a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine. In one possible configuration, and by non-limiting example, the rod box is pivotable between a stowed position and an operational position, where the stowed position decreases the overall width of the HDD machine. 
         [0008]    In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an HDD machine for drilling a string of drill rods into the ground is disclosed. The HDD machine includes a frame that supports a drill head track that defines a longitudinal axis. The HDD machine also includes a drill head mounted on the track, and the drill head includes a rotational rod drive. The HDD machine includes a thrust mechanism for moving the drill head along the longitudinal axis of the drill head track between a retracted position adjacent a first end of the drill head track and an extended position adjacent an opposite second end of the track. The HDD machine also includes a rod box for holding a plurality of drill rods. The rod box has an upper end and a lower end and is pivotally connected to the frame at a pivot axis positioned adjacent the lower end of the rod box. The pivot axis is oriented to extend along the longitudinal axis of the track, and the rod box is pivotally movable about the pivot axis between a stowed position and an operational position. The rod box overhangs the longitudinal axis of the drill head track and obstructs movement of the drill head from the retracted position to the extended position when in the stowed position. The rod box is laterally offset from a region above the longitudinal axis drill head track when in the operational position so as to not interfere with movement of the drill head along the longitudinal axis. The rod box has a load/unload opening adjacent the upper end of the rod box for allowing the drill rods to be manually loaded into the rod box and manually removed from the rod box. The rod box also includes a first side that faces toward the drill head track and a second side that faces away from the track. The load/unload opening of the rod box is positioned adjacent the first side and the rod box defines a width that extends between the first and second sides. The rod box is also tapered such that the width is larger adjacent the upper end of the rod box as compared to the lower end of the rod box. The rod box can accommodate more drill rods across the width adjacent the upper end as compared to adjacent the lower end. 
         [0009]    In a second aspect of the present disclosure, an HDD machine for drilling a string of drill rods into the ground is disclosed. The HDD machine includes a frame that supports a drill head track that defines a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis residing in a vertical reference plane generally perpendicular to the ground. The HDD machine also includes a drill head mounted on the track, and the drill head includes a rotational rod drive. The HDD machine further includes a thrust mechanism for moving the drill head along the longitudinal axis of the drill head track between a retracted position adjacent a first end of the drill head track and an extended position adjacent an opposite second end of the track. The HDD machine includes a rod box for holding a plurality of drill rods. The rod box has a generally triangular shaped cross-section and a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame. The rod box is pivotally connected to the frame and movable between a stowed position and an operational position. When in the operational position, drill rods can be loaded into the rod box and removed from the rod box during a drilling operation. When in the operational position, the furthest portion of the rod box from the vertical reference plane is located at a distance D 1  therefrom, and when in the stowed position, the furthest portion of the rod box from the vertical reference plane is located at a distance D 2  therefrom. The distance D 1  is greater than the distance D 2 . 
         [0010]    A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an HDD machine in an inactive position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the HDD machine of  FIG. 1  in the inactive position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the HDD machine of  FIG. 1  in a working position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the HDD machine of  FIG. 1  in a working position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the HDD machine of  FIG. 1  in the inactive position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the HDD machine of  FIG. 1  in a working position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a drive assembly, a frame, and a rod box in a stowed position of an HDD machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in an operational position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a rear perspective view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in a stowed position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a rear perspective view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in an operational position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in the stowed position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in the operational position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in the stowed position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a top view of the drive assembly, the frame, and the rod box of  FIG. 7  with the rod box in the operational position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of a rod box, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of a rod box of  FIG. 15  empty of drill rods; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  illustrates a side view of the rod box of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  illustrates a back end view of the rod box of  FIG. 15  in the stowed position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  illustrates a front end view of the rod box of  FIG. 15  in the stowed position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  illustrates a back end view of the rod box of  FIG. 15  in the operational position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  illustrates a front end view of the rod box of  FIG. 15  in the operational position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  illustrates a back end view of a rod box in the stowed position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  illustrates a back end view of the rod box of  FIG. 22  in the operational position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
         [0036]    The HDD machine disclosed herein has several advantages. Specifically, the rod box of the present disclosure is pivotally connected to the HDD machine, allowing the rod box to move from a stowed position to an operational position. When in the stowed position, the rod box allows the HDD machine to maintain a narrow width (e.g., narrow enough to pass through a yard gate (typically about 36 or 42 inches wide)), while still storing a substantial amount of drill rods on the HDD machine. When moving from the stowed position to the operational position, the rod box pivots away from the HDD machine so as to allow full operation of the HDD machine. More generally, the pivoting rod box of the present disclosure allows the other components of the HDD machine to be increased in size (i.e., the engine) while still maintaining sufficient drill rod storage and size requirements for the HDD machine. Furthermore, the present HDD machine provides a lower center of gravity, both in the operational and stowed positions, thereby minimizing the tendency for instability. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1-2  show the HDD machine  100  in an inactive position. The HDD machine  100  includes a front end  102  and a rear end  104 . The HDD machine  100  also includes a frame  106 , a front operator&#39;s station  108 , a rear operator&#39;s station  110 , a pair of tracks  112 , a drilling assembly  114 , an engine housing  116 , and a rod box  118 . When in the inactive position, the HDD machine  100  can be transported by trailer, driven to a worksite, or parked and stored between drilling operations. The inactive position allows the HDD machine  100  to maintain a compact footprint while also allowing the HDD machine  100  to be in an inactive position to prevent accidental or unintended operation of the HDD machine  100 . In one variation, the compact footprint includes an overall inactive machine width of about 36 inches or less, thus facilitating navigation through a typical yard or garden gate. In another variation, the compact footprint includes an overall inactive machine width of about 42 inches or less, thus facilitating navigation through a typical yard or garden gate When moving the HDD machine  100 , an operator can control the movement of the pair of tracks  112 , and therefore the HDD machine  100 , by driving the HDD machine  100  from the rear operator&#39;s station  110 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3-4  show the HDD machine  100  in a working position. In the working position, the HDD machine  100  is configured to perform a drilling operation that includes driving a drill string underground along a generally horizontal path at the worksite. In the depicted embodiment, certain components of the HDD machine  100  are configured to move when the HDD machine  100  moves from the inactive position to the working position. In some embodiments, the front operator&#39;s station  108  is capable of swinging away from the HDD machine  100  so as to allow an operator a clear line of sight to the drilling assembly  114  and also allow the operator access to a plurality of different controls and to the rod box  118 . The drilling assembly  114  is configured to tilt toward the front end  102  of the HDD machine  100  when the HDD machine  100  moves from the inactive position to the working position. This allows the drilling assembly  114  to deliver a drill rod into a ground surface  115  at the worksite at an oblique angle. Finally, in the depicted embodiment, the rod box  118  is pivotally movable relative to the frame  106 , so as to allow the rod box  118  to pivot away from the HDD machine  100  when the HDD machine  100  moves from the inactive position to the working position. 
         [0039]    The frame  106  of the HDD machine  100  is configured to support the operator&#39;s stations  108 , 110 , drilling assembly  114 , engine housing  116 , and rod box  118 . The frame  106  provides structural support to the HDD machine  100 . 
         [0040]    The front operator&#39;s station  108  is positioned near the front end  102  of the HDD machine  100 . The front operator&#39;s station  108  is configured to allow an operator to control the operation of the HDD machine  100  from a seated position. The rear operator&#39;s station  110  is positioned near the rear end  104  of the HDD machine  100  and allows the operator to operate the HDD machine  100  from a standing position. 
         [0041]    The tracks  112  are configured to allow the operator to move the HDD machine  100 . In some embodiments, the tracks  112  have a width that is less than a trailer width so that the HDD machine  100  may be transported long distances via a trailer on public roads. In some embodiments, the HDD machine  100  may have a width so as to be simultaneously transported adjacent to other machines on a flatbed trailer. 
         [0042]    The drilling assembly  114  is configured to provide thrust and rotational force to a series of drill rods (i.e., a drill string) during a drilling operation. Additionally, the drilling assembly  114  is configured to add and remove drill rods to and from the drill string. The drilling assembly  114  is powered by engine components (not shown) located within the engine housing  116 . 
         [0043]    The engine housing  116  is configured to cover the engine components that enable the HDD machine  100  to operate. The engine components can include a prime mover, and its components, and a hydraulic system and its components. The prime mover can be an internal combustion engine, electric motor, or other similar hybrid-type engine. In some embodiments, the engine housing  116  is mounted to the frame  106  of the HDD machine  100 . The engine housing  116  is configured to include a multitude of panels, some of which may be removable. 
         [0044]    The rod box  118  (i.e., a magazine or rack), which will be discussed in more detail with respect to  FIG. 13-18 , is configured to store a plurality of drill rods. The rod box  118  is also configured to allow drill rods to be readily removed and added to the rod box  118  during a drilling operation. In some embodiments, the rod box  118  can store a quantity of drill rods to allow a drilling operation to be completed without the need to retrieve drill rods from an additional storage location. In some embodiments, the rod box  118  can store about 150 feet of drill rods. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of HDD machine  100  in the inactive position. In the inactive position, the HDD machine  100  has a first machine width of W 1 , which may also be considered to be a stowed or compact width W 1 . In some embodiments, W 1  is a width that is less than about 36 inches. In some embodiments, the width W 1  is less than the width of a standard garden/yard gate.  FIG. 6  shows a front view of the HDD machine  100  in the working position. As shown, the HDD machine  100  has a second machine width of W 2 , which may be considered the expanded or working width W 2 . W 2  is greater than W 1 . In the depicted embodiment, W 2  is measured from the widest portion of the engine housing  116  to the widest portion of the rod box  118 . In some embodiments, the front operator&#39;s station  108  is also movably pivotable in a direction laterally away from the HDD machine  100 , which can also increase the HDD machine  100 &#39;s working width W 2 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 7-8  show perspective views of the drilling assembly  114 , the rod box  118 , and the frame  106 . In  FIG. 7 , the rod box  118  is shown in the stowed position. In  FIG. 8 , the rod box  118  is, in turn, shown in the operational position.  FIGS. 9-10  show rear perspective views of the drilling assembly  114 , the rod box  118 , and frame  106 . In  FIG. 9 , the rod box  118  is shown in the stowed position. In  FIG. 10 , the rod box  118  is shown in the operational position. The drilling assembly  114  includes a drill head  120 , a spindle  122 , a drill head track  124 , and a vise/anchor assembly  126 . The drill head  120  provides thrust and rotational power to the spindle  122  and moves a drill rod  128  along a longitudinal axis A of the drilling assembly  114 . 
         [0047]    When performing a drilling operation, first, the rod box  118  is moved to the operational position. The drill rod  128  is then removed from the rod box  118  and connected to the spindle  122 . Once connected to the spindle  122 , the drill head  120  travels along the drill head track  124 , moving the drill rod  128  in a direction toward the front  102  of the HDD machine  100 . In some examples, the drill head  120  can travel along the drill head track  124  via gears (i.e., a rack and pinion gear). In other examples, the drill head track  124  can include cylinders or cables to propel the drill head  120  along the drill head track  124 . Once the drill head  120  is adjacent the vise/anchor assembly  126 , the drill rod  128  is removed from the spindle  122 , and the drill head  120  travels backward in a direction away from the front  102  of the HDD machine  100  along the drill head track  124  so that another drill rod can be added. Such a process is repeated until the drill string is complete. Further, while no drill rod loading mechanism is shown in the FIGS., in some embodiments, a drill rod loading mechanism can be utilized to move drill rod from the rod box  118  to the drilling assembly  114 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11-12  show a top view of the drilling assembly  114  and the rod box  118 .  FIG. 11  shows the rod box  118  in the stowed position, and  FIG. 12  shows the rod box  118  in the operational position. As shown in  FIG. 11 , when pivoted into the stowed position, the rod box  118  blocks the movement of the drill head  120  along the drill head track  124  toward the vise/anchor assembly  126 . Specifically, the rod box  118  overlaps the longitudinal axis A of the drilling assembly  114  when the rod box  118  is in the stowed position. Further, when in the stowed position, the furthest portion of the rod box  118  from the longitudinal axis A is a distance D 2 . Due to the rod box  118  being generally low in height compared to the HDD machine  100 , and the fact that the rod box  118  overlaps the longitudinal axis A when in the stowed position, the rod box  118  helps to position the HDD machine  100 &#39;s center of gravity closer to the ground and closer to the longitudinal axis A. This can be important, for example, when transporting the HDD machine  100  and also when performing drilling operations on uneven ground or a surface with a grade. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the rod box  118  pivots about a pivot axis B proximate a bottom or base (not labelled) of the rod box  118 , so as to move between the stowed position and the operational position thereof, and, when moved into the operational position, the rod box  118  does not overlap the longitudinal axis A. Not being overlapped with the longitudinal axis A allows the drill head  120  to travel along the drill head track  124 . Further, when in the operational position, the furthest portion of the rod box  118  from the longitudinal axis A is a distance D 1 . As shown, D 1  is greater than D 2 . Also, the pivot axis B and the longitudinal axis A are generally parallel. 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of the drilling assembly  114  and the rod box  118  in the stowed position.  FIG. 14  shows a front view of the drilling assembly  114  and the rod box  118  in the operational position. As shown, the rod box  118  is attached to the frame  106  with a pair of arms  130 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 15-21  show the rod box  118  detached from the HDD machine  100 . The rod box  118  is configured to hold a plurality of drill rods in a position that is in close proximity to the drilling assembly  114 . The rod box  118  has an upper end  132  and a lower end  134  and is pivotally attached at a pivot connection  135  to the arms  130  at the lower end  134  so as to be movable about pivot axis B. Further, the rod box  118  has a generally open side  136 , a closed side  138 , a front end  140 , a back end  142 , and a partially open top side  144 . The rod box  118  has a generally triangular cross section, and, in some embodiments, the rod box  118  is tapered so that the width is larger adjacent the upper end  132  of the rod box  118  as compared to the lower end  134  of the rod box  118 . Additionally, the upper end  132 , via the partially open top side  144 , provides user access to the drill rods stored within the rod box  118 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 16  shows the rod box  118  empty of drill rods. The rod box  118  has an open interior structure that does not include structure defining any pre-defined rows or columns for the drill rods. 
         [0053]    The generally open side  136  of the rod box  118  is configured to face toward the drill head track  124  of the drilling assembly  114 . The generally open side  136  includes open side elements  136   a  and  136   b  which serve to retain the drill rods within the rod box  118 , while still providing a substantially open profile therebetween. By having a generally open side  136  and a partially open top side  144  as part of the overall rod box construction, the rod box  118  is able to substantially retain the drill rods yet still establish a rod access zone  137 . In some embodiments, the rod access zone  137  corresponds with the open top side  144 . In other embodiments, the rod access zone  137  can correspond to a portion of the open side  136 . Via the rod access zone  137 , the operator of the HDD machine  100  can manually remove and replace drill rods to and from the rod box  118  during a drilling operation. Specifically, the operator can remove and replace drill rods from the rod access zone  137  and do so while operating the HDD machine  100  from the operator&#39;s station  108 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 18-19  show the ends  140 ,  142  of the rod box  118  when the rod box  118  is in the stowed position. When the rod box  118  is in the stowed position, the generally open side  136  is angled relative to vertical, while the closed side  138  is generally vertical.  FIGS. 20-21  show the ends  140 ,  142  of the rod box  118  when the rod box  118  is in the operational position. When the rod box  118  is in the operational position, the open side  136  is generally vertical while the closed side  138  is generally angled relative to vertical. 
         [0055]    As shown, the arms  130   a / 130   b  include positive stops to prevent the over-rotation of the rod box  118  when moving the rod box  118  between the stowed and operational positions. Specifically, the arm  130   a  that is positioned near the back end  142  of the rod box  118  includes a channel  146 , with the shape of the channel  146  inherently posing a pair of travel limits. The back side  142  of the rod box  118  includes a peg  148  that is configured to travel within the travel limits (i.e., first and second sides  150 ,  152 ) established by the channel  146  of the arm  130   a . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the peg  148  is positioned at a first side  150  of the channel  146  when the rod box  118  is in the stowed position. When the rod box  118  is moved to the operational position shown in  FIG. 19 , the peg  148  slides within the channel  146  and is positioned at a second end  152  of the channel  146 . 
         [0056]    Arm  130   b  positioned near the front end  140  of the rod box  118  includes a stowed pocket  154  and an operational pocket  156 . The pockets  154 ,  156  are configured to interface with a movable lever  158  that is movably secured to the front end  140  of the rod box  118 . The movable lever  158  is positioned within a lever channel  160  and also includes a handle  162 . In the depicted example, the lever channel  160  is defined by a bracket  161  attached to the rod box  118 . In the depicted embodiment, the lever  158  is spring loaded and biased in a downward direction toward the arm  130   b  by a spring  164 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , when the rod box  118  is in the stowed position, the lever  158  is positioned within the stowed pocket  154  of the arm  130   b . When moved to the operational position, as shown in  FIG. 21 , the lever  158  is moved in an upward direction by the operator and then positioned within the operational pocket  156  of the arm  130   b . The stowed and operational pockets  154 ,  156  of arm  130   b  combined with the movable lever  158  allow the rod box  118  to be locked in either the stowed or operational positions. 
         [0057]    While movement of the rod box  118  disclosed herein is described as being controlled manually by the operator, in other embodiments, the movement of the rod box  118  can be controlled by a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 22 and 23  show a rod box  218 , according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 22  shows a front end  240  of the rod box  218  when the rod box  218  is in the stowed position.  FIG. 23  shows the rod box  218  in an operational position. The rod box  218  is substantially similar to the rod box  118  described above. 
         [0059]    The rod box  218  is attached to the frame  106  with a pair of arms  230   a ,  230   b . The arm  230   a  is substantially similar to arm  130   a  described above, and arm  230   b  is similar to arm  130   b . Like arm  130   b , arm  230   b  includes a stowed pocket  254  and an operational pocket  256 . The pockets  254 ,  256  are configured to interface with a movable lever  258  that is movably secured to the rod box  218 . The arm  230   b  also includes a stowed hard stop  257  and an operational hard stop  259  that aid in retaining the rod box  218  in either the stowed or operational position. 
         [0060]    The movable lever  258  is positioned within a lever channel  260  that is defined by a bracket  261  that is attached to the rod box  218 . The lever  258  is spring loaded by a spring  264  attached to the lever  258  and the bracket  261  and biased in a downward direction toward the arm  230   b.    
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 22 , like the rod box  118 , when the rod box  218  is in the stowed position, the lever  258  is positioned within the stowed pocket  254  of the arm  230   b . In the depicted embodiment, the bracket  261  of the rod box  218  is also in contact with the stowed hard stop  257  of the arm  230   b . The stowed hard stop  257  helps prevent the rod box  218  from over-rotating while also removing excess force on the lever  258  when the rod box  218  is the stowed position. In some examples, the lever  258  can be loosely positioned within the stowed pocket  254  when in the stowed position while the weight of the rod box rests, via the bracket  261 , on the stowed hard stop  257 . In such an example, by positioning the lever  258  in the stowed pocket  254 , the rod box  218  is prevented from rotating back in a direction toward the operational position. However, in regular use, the weight of the rod box  218  is supported by the stowed hard stop  257  and the bracket  261 , thereby allowing the user to easily manipulate the lever  258  in an upward and downward motion without having to overcome excessive friction between the stowed pocket  254  and the lever  258 . In some examples, the stowed hard stop  257  can be lined with a bumper material, such as a rubberized material. 
         [0062]    When moved to the operational position, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the lever  258  is moved in an upward direction by the operator and then positioned within the operational pocket  256  of the arm  230   b . Similar to the stowed hard stop  257  described above, the operational hard stop  259  is configured to interface with the bracket  261  so as to support the weight of the rod box  218  in the operational position and to prevent the rod box  218  from over rotating past the operational position. Further, like the stowed pocket  254 , the lever  258  can be loosely positioned within the operational pocket  256  so as to prevent the rod box  218  from rotating back in a direction toward the stowed position. In some examples, the operational hard stop  259  can be lined with a bumper material, such a rubberized material. 
         [0063]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4