US3685591A — Slit trenching and cable laying machine with orbi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 227 words

In a cable layer, in combination, first frame means equipped with wheels for rolling along the ground surface, second frame means carrying a plow assembly comprising a drive arm and a plow member rigidly attached to said drive arm for forming a slit trench in the ground, said second frame means being movable relative to said first frame means between an upper position wherein said plow member is disposed above the ground surface and a lowered position wherein said plow member extends beneath the ground surface to form a slit trench therein, said drive arm being carried by said second frame means in a longitudinally extending generally horizontal position and said plow member extending downwardly from adjacent the rearward end thereof, drive means including an eccentric drive shaft connected with the forward end of said arm for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, and a link extending transversely of said arm adjacent the rearward end thereof, said link being pivotally connected at one of its ends to said second frame means and being pivotally connected at its other end to said arm so as to limit the component of movement of the rearward end of said arm axially of said link without impairing the longitudinal movement of said arm, thereby to cause the lower end of said plow member to move in an elliptical orbital path.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 227 words

In a cable layer, in combination, first frame means equipped with wheels for rolling along the ground surface, second frame means carrying a plow assembly comprising a drive arm and a plow member rigidly attached to said drive arm for forming a slit trench in the ground, said second frame means being movable relative to said first frame means between an upper position wherein said plow member is disposed above the ground surface and a lowered position wherein said plow member extends beneath the ground surface to form a slit trench therein, said drive arm being carried by said second frame means in a longitudinally extending generally horizontal position and said plow member extending downwardly from adjacent the rearward end thereof, drive means including an eccentric drive shaft connected with the forward end of said arm for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, and a link extending transversely of said arm adjacent the rearward end thereof, said link being pivotally connected at one of its ends to said second frame means and being pivotally connected at its other end to said arm so as to limit the component of movement of the rearward end of said arm axially of said link without impairing the longitudinal movement of said arm, thereby to cause the lower end of said plow member to move in an elliptical orbital path.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 203 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said plow assembly at a first selected point of attachment thereon, and restraining means connected to said plow assembly at a second point of attachment thereon for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement wherein the plow assembly is both supported and driven by said drive means and said restraining means, and said restraining means comprising a link extending transversely of said plow assembly at said second point of attachment, said link being pivotally mounted on said frame at one of its ends and being pivotally connected at its other end to said plow assembly at said second point of attachment so as to limit the component of movement of said second point axially of said link without impairing longitudinal movement of said plow assembly at said second point, thereby to cause the lower end of said plow assembly to move in an elliptical orbital path.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 203 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said plow assembly at a first selected point of attachment thereon, and restraining means connected to said plow assembly at a second point of attachment thereon for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement wherein the plow assembly is both supported and driven by said drive means and said restraining means, and said restraining means comprising a link extending transversely of said plow assembly at said second point of attachment, said link being pivotally mounted on said frame at one of its ends and being pivotally connected at its other end to said plow assembly at said second point of attachment so as to limit the component of movement of said second point axially of said link without impairing longitudinal movement of said plow assembly at said second point, thereby to cause the lower end of said plow assembly to move in an elliptical orbital path.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 112 words

The invention of claim 2 wherein said frame comprises a first frame means and a second frame means, said drive means being mounted on said first frame means with said shaft extending transversely of and journalled on said first frame means, said second frame means being pivotally mounted on said shaft, said plow assembly being mounted on said second frame means with said first point of attachment thereon continuously engaging the eccentric on said shaft, whereby said second frame means may be pivoted relative to said first frame means to swing said plow assembly into and out of the ground without disturbing the drive connection between said shaft and said plow assembly.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The invention of claim 2 including means adjustably mounting said link on said frame, and means for adjusting said link on said frame to different positions relative to said plow assembly.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention of claim 4 wherein the means for adjusting said link comprises power means operable from a remote location during operation of the plow assembly.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 61 words

The invention of claim 4 wherein said plow assembly is disposed substantially vertical, said eccentric is connected with the upper end portion of said plow assembly, said link is pivotally connected to the medial portion of said plow assembly, and said link is adjustable on said frame in an arc about the pivotal connection of said link to said plow assembly.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The invention of claim 6 wherein said link is adjustable from a position perpendicular to said plow assembly to positions inclined upwardly and downwardly from said perpendicular position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 186 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said plow assembly at a first selected point of attachment thereon, and restraining means connected to said plow assembly at a second point of attachment thereon for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement wherein said plow assembly comprises a plow extending downwardly from the rearward end of said frame and an operating arm extending generally horizontally and connected adjacent its rearward end to said plow, said eccentric drive shaft is connected with the forward portion of said arm, and said restraining means comprises a link pivotally mounted on said frame at one of its ends and pivotally connected at its other end to the rearward portion of said arm so as to limit the component of movement of said rearward portion of said arm axially of said link.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 186 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said plow assembly at a first selected point of attachment thereon, and restraining means connected to said plow assembly at a second point of attachment thereon for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement wherein said plow assembly comprises a plow extending downwardly from the rearward end of said frame and an operating arm extending generally horizontally and connected adjacent its rearward end to said plow, said eccentric drive shaft is connected with the forward portion of said arm, and said restraining means comprises a link pivotally mounted on said frame at one of its ends and pivotally connected at its other end to the rearward portion of said arm so as to limit the component of movement of said rearward portion of said arm axially of said link.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 57 words

The invention of claim 8 including a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent the rearward end of said arm, said link being pivotally connected to said bracket at a location spaced from the pivotal mounting of said bracket and from said arm, and means for moving said bracket for adjusting said link relative to said arm.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention of claim 8 including a second plow member mounted on said arm in spaced relation to the first-named plow.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 180 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said plow assembly at a first selected point of attachment thereon, and restraining means connected to said plow assembly at a second point of attachment thereon for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement comprising a pair of said plow assemblies, a pair of said eccentrics disposed in out-of-phase relationship with one another and connected respectively with said assemblies, and a pair of said restraining means connected respectively to said assemblies, each said restraining means comprising a link pivotally mounted on said frame at one of its ends and pivotally connected at its other end to the respective plow assembly so as to limit the component of movement of the respective plow assembly axially of said link at said second point of attachment.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 180 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said plow assembly at a first selected point of attachment thereon, and restraining means connected to said plow assembly at a second point of attachment thereon for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement comprising a pair of said plow assemblies, a pair of said eccentrics disposed in out-of-phase relationship with one another and connected respectively with said assemblies, and a pair of said restraining means connected respectively to said assemblies, each said restraining means comprising a link pivotally mounted on said frame at one of its ends and pivotally connected at its other end to the respective plow assembly so as to limit the component of movement of the respective plow assembly axially of said link at said second point of attachment.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The invention of claim 11 including means on said frame for adjusting each of said links to different positions relative to their respective plow assemblies.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 215 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame, said assembly including an operating arm and a plow connected at its upper end to one end of said arm and positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said arm adjacent the other end of said arm, and restraining means connected to said arm adjacent said one end thereof for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement wherein the plow assembly is both supported and driven by said drive means and said restraining means, and said restraining means comprises an oscillatory member pivotally connected with said arm adjacent said one end thereof and pivotally mounted on said frame transversely of said one end of said arm, said oscillatory member oscillating in the direction longitudinally of said arm and being rigid in the direction transversely of said arm so as to limit the transverse movement of said one end of said arm without impairing the longitudinal movement of said arm, thereby to cause the lower end of said plow to move in an elliptical orbital path.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 215 words

In a cable layer having a frame, a plow assembly on said frame, said assembly including an operating arm and a plow connected at its upper end to one end of said arm and positioned so that its lower end will project downwardly into the ground to form a slit trench therein, drive means on said frame for imparting orbital movement to said plow assembly, said drive means comprising an eccentric drive shaft connected with said arm adjacent the other end of said arm, and restraining means connected to said arm adjacent said one end thereof for controlling the orbital movement of said plow assembly, the improvement wherein the plow assembly is both supported and driven by said drive means and said restraining means, and said restraining means comprises an oscillatory member pivotally connected with said arm adjacent said one end thereof and pivotally mounted on said frame transversely of said one end of said arm, said oscillatory member oscillating in the direction longitudinally of said arm and being rigid in the direction transversely of said arm so as to limit the transverse movement of said one end of said arm without impairing the longitudinal movement of said arm, thereby to cause the lower end of said plow to move in an elliptical orbital path.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The invention of claim 13 wherein said oscillatory member comprises an eccentric idler shaft which extends through said arm, said idler shaft being oscillated through an angle of less than 180* upon rotation of said drive shaft.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 45 words

The invention of claim 13 wherein said oscillatory member comprises a link extending transversely of said arm, said link being pivotally mounted at one of its ends on said frame and being pivotally connected at its other end to said one end of said arm.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-08-22	1976-02-21	1976-08-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-08-22	1980-02-21	1980-08-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-08-22	1984-02-21	1984-08-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Slit trenching and cable laying machine with orbital action plow

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