Gang drill apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is an automated drill apparatus composed of one or more gang drills mounted to a gang drill chassis, at least one powered drive wheel affixed to the gang drill chassis, and at least three pivotable support wheels. A control panel provides remote operation of drill rotation activation, drill advance, and drill bed position adjustment, and a panic off switch. A control system implements steering the automated drill apparatus and is selectable by the operator for steering in two-wheel mode or crab steer mode. The pivotable drive wheels, in conjunction with the control panel and control system, are used to position the automated drill apparatus along a slab to be drilled, and further activate one or more gang drills for drilling a slab.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drilling apparatus comprising:
 a chassis that is moveable between worksites;   a plurality of drills mounted to a drill bed, the drill bed being secured to the chassis; and   a remote operating panel that is separable from the chassis and operable when remotely located with respect to the chassis.   
     
     
         2 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the remote operating panel communicates with the drilling apparatus via wireless communication. 
     
     
         3 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the remote operating panel communicates with the drilling apparatus via radio frequency wireless communication. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the remote operating panel communicates with the drilling apparatus via a wired tether. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the remote operating panel is disposed in a case. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the case comprises at least one handle. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the case comprises a strap. 
     
     
         8 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the strap comprises a neck strap. 
     
     
         9 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the strap comprises a shoulder strap. 
     
     
         10 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the remote operating panel is a plurality of remote operating panels. 
     
     
         11 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a receiver, wherein the plurality of remote operating panels are each programmable to operate the drilling apparatus at an operator selectable radio identification code, and wherein the receiver is programmed to respond to a corresponding identification code. 
     
     
         12 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a receiver, wherein the remote operating panel is programmable to operate at an operator selectable radio identification code and the receiver is programmed to respond to a corresponding identification code. 
     
     
         13 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the remote operating panel further comprises a pointer alignment system. 
     
     
         14 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the pointer alignment system comprises a laser pointer that when pointed at a drilling location causes the drilling apparatus to automatically realign with the drilling location. 
     
     
         15 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the laser pointer is disposed in the remote operating panel. 
     
     
         16 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the laser pointer is integral with the remote operating panel. 
     
     
         17 . A drilling apparatus comprising:
 a chassis that is moveable between worksites;   a plurality of drills mounted to a drill bed, the drill bed being secured to the chassis; and   a remote operating panel that is separable from the chassis and operable when remotely located with respect to the chassis; and   a steering system comprising a plurality of wheels mounted in association with the chassis, wherein the plurality of wheels are pivotable to steer in either a normal steer mode or a crab steer mode.   
     
     
         18 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the remote operating panel communicates with the drilling apparatus via radio frequency wireless communication. 
     
     
         19 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the remote operating panel further comprises a pointer alignment system, the pointer alignment system comprising a laser pointer that when pointed at a drilling location causes the drilling apparatus to automatically realign with the drilling location. 
     
     
         20 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the laser pointer is disposed in the remote operating panel.