Patent ID: 8904716

Claim:
A bi-directional drilling rig mast connection system, comprising: a first mast section having first and second spaced-apart sides and comprising a first bi-directional connection apparatus positioned at an upper end thereof; and a second mast section having first and second spaced-apart sides and comprising a second bi-directional connection apparatus positioned at a lower end thereof, wherein said second bi-directional connection apparatus is adapted to engage said first bi-directional connection apparatus so as to removably attach said second mast section to said first mast section when said first and second mast sections are in a substantially horizontal orientation and said respective first sides of said first and second mast sections are oriented in a substantially upward direction, said second bi-directional connection apparatus being further adapted to engage said first bi-directional connection apparatus so as to removably attach said second mast section to said first mast section when said first and second mast sections are in a substantially horizontal orientation and said respective second sides of said first and second mast sections are oriented in said substantially upward direction.