US3575006A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground cable-laying apparatus
Assignee: TRIPLEX ACQUISITION Corp A DE CORP
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Filing: 1968-09-20
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-09-20
Abstract
Abstract The structure disclosed is directed to a vertical support mechanism which is generally driven and controlled through a three-point hitch of a prime mover, the mechanism being secured to a first pair of vertical plates that are pivotally secured to the vertical support mechanism at the front portions of the plates, the vertical plates being secured to a second pair of inwardly spaced plates through a plurality of elastomeric mounting and draft members and the inner vertical plates securing a blade member thereto at its upper end, the blade member being drawn through the earth at a depth sufficient to lay a cable therein after passing through a cable guide secured to the trailing edge of the blade member, the cable entering the guide from above the earth. A vibrator is secured to the blade member to substantially vibrate the blade member only, the remaining structure being isolated from the vibration through the elastomeric mountings which also serve as the draft coupling means coupling the mounting support to the blade member.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger R Rugroden
- 👤 David H Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:33
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/14; E02F5/10; E02F5/102; E02F5/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
Underground cable-laying apparatus comprising: a. a prime mover; b. elastomeric mounting means connected to said prime mover and supported thereby, said mounting means including a rigid mounting plate having attached thereto over at least a portion of the surface of said plate an elastomeric material; c. a vertically extending blade member resiliently mounted to said prime mover by means of said elastomeric material and in position to be drawn through the earth; and d. cable guide means carried by said blade member in trailing relation and guiding the cable from above and into the earth directly behind said blade member as it is moved through the earth by said prime mover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
Underground cable-laying apparatus comprising: a. a prime mover; b. elastomeric mounting means connected to said prime mover and supported thereby, said mounting means including a rigid mounting plate having attached thereto over at least a portion of the surface of said plate an elastomeric material; c. a vertically extending blade member resiliently mounted to said prime mover by means of said elastomeric material and in position to be drawn through the earth; and d. cable guide means carried by said blade member in trailing relation and guiding the cable from above and into the earth directly behind said blade member as it is moved through the earth by said prime mover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 including: vibratory means connected to said blade member in vibrating relation to facilitate the movement of said blade member through the earth by said prime mover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 including: pivotal means having a substantially vertically oriented axis securing said elastomeric mounting means to said prime mover facilitating a pivotal movement of said blade member about said pivotal means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The blade member as set forth in claim 1 including: a wedge-shaped foot member secured to the lower leading edge of said blade member in a forwardly and downwardly oriented direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The cable guide means as set forth in claim 1 including: an enclosed channel member having a flared opening at the upper end and a lower portion curved rearwardly and opening to the rear, said opening including a recessed bottom portion facilitating an upward movement of said blade and channel members with respect to the cable without stressing the cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The blade member as set forth in claim 1 including: vertically and forwardly extending plate means connecting said blade member to said elastomeric mounting means in an inverted L-shape, said elastomeric mounting means being arranged in a plurality of positions along said plate means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6 including: second vertically extending plate means connected between said prime mover and said elastomeric mounting means, said elastomeric mounting means defining a shear plane therein parallel to said second plate means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
Underground cable-laying apparatus comprising: a. a prime mover; b. vertically movable support means mounted upon said prime mover; c. control means carried by said prime mover for controllably moving said support means vertically; d. a pair of horizontally spaced rigid mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes, said plates being secured to said support means for movement therewith; e. elastomeric mounting and draft means secured to adjacent faces of each of said mounting plates; f. a vertically extending blade member secured between and to the said elastomeric mounting and draft means in supported relation for movement therewith; g. a foot member carried by said blade member adjacent its lower forwardly facing end and adapted to be drawn through the earth thereby; and h. cable guiding means secured along the trailing edge of said blade member and guiding the cable from above and into the earth directly therebehind as said blade member is drawn through the earth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
Underground cable-laying apparatus comprising: a. a prime mover; b. vertically movable support means mounted upon said prime mover; c. control means carried by said prime mover for controllably moving said support means vertically; d. a pair of horizontally spaced rigid mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes, said plates being secured to said support means for movement therewith; e. elastomeric mounting and draft means secured to adjacent faces of each of said mounting plates; f. a vertically extending blade member secured between and to the said elastomeric mounting and draft means in supported relation for movement therewith; g. a foot member carried by said blade member adjacent its lower forwardly facing end and adapted to be drawn through the earth thereby; and h. cable guiding means secured along the trailing edge of said blade member and guiding the cable from above and into the earth directly therebehind as said blade member is drawn through the earth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure defined in claim 8 including: vibratory means connected to said blade member and vibrating the same and said foot member as the latter is drawn through the earth by said elastomeric mounting and draft means and said prime mover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: pivotal means having a substantially vertically oriented axis securing said pair of mounting plates to said vertically movable support means facilitating a pivotal movement of said blade member about said pivotal means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: a pair of sway control bars secured to said pair of mounting plates and extending forwardly and laterally to cooperatively engage said vertically movable support means upon a predetermined pivotal movement of said mounting plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: another pair of plates connecting said blade member to said elastomeric mounting and draft means, said other pair of plates disposed between said mounting plates and having said elastomeric mounting and draft means arranged in a plurality of rows between said pairs of plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
The cable guiding means as set forth in claim 8 including: an elongated channel member of U-shaped cross section having a flared portion at the upper end and a lower portion curved rearwardly and opening to the rear behind said foot member, said channel member including a recessed bottom portion facilitating an upward movement of said blade and channel members with respect to the cable without stressing the cable; a channel cover closing said open portion of said channel member and conforming to the trailing edge thereof; a releasable securing means releasably securing said channel cover to said U-shaped channel member facilitating removal of said channel cover while said blade and channel members are in an earth embedded relationship.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
158 words
Underground cable laying apparatus comprising: a. vertically movable support means constructed and arranged to be connected to a prime mover and adapted to be controlled by means for controllably moving said support means vertically; b. a pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes, said plates being secured to said support means for movement therewith; c. vertically extending blade means adapted to be drawn through the earth in cutting relationship; d. elastomeric mounting and draft means secured between said pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates and the upper end of said blade means in torque and draft resisting relationship, said elastomeric means defining a pair of shear planes extending substantially parallel to said pair of mounting plates; and e. cable guiding means secured along the trailing edge of said blade means and guiding the cable from above and into the earth directly therebehind as said blade means is drawn through the earth.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
158 words
Underground cable laying apparatus comprising: a. vertically movable support means constructed and arranged to be connected to a prime mover and adapted to be controlled by means for controllably moving said support means vertically; b. a pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes, said plates being secured to said support means for movement therewith; c. vertically extending blade means adapted to be drawn through the earth in cutting relationship; d. elastomeric mounting and draft means secured between said pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates and the upper end of said blade means in torque and draft resisting relationship, said elastomeric means defining a pair of shear planes extending substantially parallel to said pair of mounting plates; and e. cable guiding means secured along the trailing edge of said blade means and guiding the cable from above and into the earth directly therebehind as said blade means is drawn through the earth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure as set forth in claim 14 including: another pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes and disposed between said elastomeric mounting means; releasable securing means securing the upper end of said blade means to said other pair of mounting plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15 including: vibration means connected to said blade means and vibrating the same as the latter is drawn through the earth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
111 words
In underground subsoil working apparatus, the combination comprising: a. vertically movable support means adapted to be mounted upon a prime mover including a control means carried by the prime mover for controllably moving said support means vertically; b. a pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes, said plates being secured to said support means for movement therewith; c. elastomeric mounting and draft means secured to adjacent faces of each of said mounting plates; and d. a vertically extending blade member secured between and to the said elastomeric mounting and draft means in supported relation for movement therewith to be drawn through the earth thereby.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
111 words
In underground subsoil working apparatus, the combination comprising: a. vertically movable support means adapted to be mounted upon a prime mover including a control means carried by the prime mover for controllably moving said support means vertically; b. a pair of horizontally spaced mounting plates extending parallel to each other in vertical planes, said plates being secured to said support means for movement therewith; c. elastomeric mounting and draft means secured to adjacent faces of each of said mounting plates; and d. a vertically extending blade member secured between and to the said elastomeric mounting and draft means in supported relation for movement therewith to be drawn through the earth thereby.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure defined in claim 17 including: vibratory means connected to said blade member and vibrating the same as the latter is drawn through the earth by said elastomeric mounting and draft means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure defined in claim 17 including: another pair of plates connecting said blade member to said elastomeric mounting and draft means, said other pair of plates disposed between said mounting plates and having said elastomeric mounting and draft means disposed between said pairs of plates.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of said elastomeric mounting means is sufficient to facilitate a draft movement of said prime mover before said blade member is set in motion and drawn through the earth.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 including: blade member canting means constructed and arranged to be operably connected to said prime mover and said elastomeric mounting means facilitating canting of said blade member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure as set forth in clAim 8 including: blade canting means operably connected to said prime mover and said vertically movable support means facilitating canting of said blade member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The control means as set forth in claim 8 including: a pair of hydraulic actuators transversely disposed with respect to said prime mover, each of which have one end secured to said prime mover and the other end secured to said support means in vertically movable relationship; and a pair of control valves operably connected to said pair of hydraulic actuators facilitating individual control thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
135 words
The control means as set forth in claim 8 including: a pair of hydraulic actuators, each of which have one end secured to said prime mover and the other end secured to said support means in vertical moving relationship, said actuators each having a pair of hydraulic ports; a hydraulic pump and return reservoir operably connected to the input thereof; first conduit means connected between said pump and corresponding ports on said pair of actuators; second conduit means connected between said reservoir and corresponding ports on said pair of actuators; and a pair of four-way valves interconnected in said first and second conduit means, one of said valves controlling the hydraulic flow through one of said pair of actuators, and the other of said valves controlling the hydraulic flow through the other of said actuators.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said prime mover has at least a pair of driving wheels operably engaging the surface over which said prime mover is drawn, said elastomeric mounting and draft means being elastically deformed upon movement of said prime mover wheels facilitating a delayed movement of said blade member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as set forth in claim 14 including: blade canting means constructed and arranged to be operably connected to a prime mover and said vertically movable support means facilitating canting of said blade means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |