US3597929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for tunneling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-08-02
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1988-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for tunneling comprising driving a plurality of interlocking staves into the earth about a chosen circumference, by resonantly sonically vibrating the staves as they are being driven. After a circumference of the staves are formed the core of earth therebetween is removed to form the tunnel.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert G Bodine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:34
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/04; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/24; E21D9/10; E21D9/1053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of tunneling earth comprising: placing staves against a portion of the earth to be tunneled; resonantly vibrating said staves; successively driving two circumferentially opposed staves at a time horizontally into the earth to form a shell; removing the earth from within said shell; similarly driving a second circumference of staves horizontally into the earth to form a second shell in slightly overlapping relationship to said first shell; removing the earth from within said second shell; and repeating the aforesaid process of forming successive overlapping shells until a desired tunnel is constructed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of tunneling earth comprising: placing staves against a portion of the earth to be tunneled; resonantly vibrating said staves; successively driving two circumferentially opposed staves at a time horizontally into the earth to form a shell; removing the earth from within said shell; similarly driving a second circumference of staves horizontally into the earth to form a second shell in slightly overlapping relationship to said first shell; removing the earth from within said second shell; and repeating the aforesaid process of forming successive overlapping shells until a desired tunnel is constructed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each circumference of staves is driven at a slightly divergent angle to maintain an essentially constant mean tunnel diameter.
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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) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |