US3716997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel boring equipment
Assignee: REES Ltd W
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Filing: 1971-05-19
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1991-05-19
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses tunnel boring equipment comprising a tubular shield having reaction points therein, and a plurality of rams mounted on a carriage which is movable along the shield and has pawls 24 which can be engaged with the reaction points to transmit thrust from the rams to the shield to advance the shield along the tunnel.
Inventors
- 👤 D Rees
- 👤 M Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D19/00; E21D19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In tunnel boring equipment in which a tubular shield is progressively advanced along a tunnel as excavation proceeds at one end of the shield, a. a carriage located within the shield, b. means to mount the carriage in the shield for movement along The shield, c. a plurality of thrust rams mounted on the carriage, to act against the erected tunnel lining, d. releasable means on the carriage to act against fixed reaction means on the shield to prevent movement of the carriage along the shield towards said one end, and e. fixed reaction means on the shield for engagement by said releasable means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In tunnel boring equipment in which a tubular shield is progressively advanced along a tunnel as excavation proceeds at one end of the shield, a. a carriage located within the shield, b. means to mount the carriage in the shield for movement along The shield, c. a plurality of thrust rams mounted on the carriage, to act against the erected tunnel lining, d. releasable means on the carriage to act against fixed reaction means on the shield to prevent movement of the carriage along the shield towards said one end, and e. fixed reaction means on the shield for engagement by said releasable means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
In tunnel boring equipment in which a tubular shield is progressively advanced along a tunnel as excavation proceeds at one end of the shield, a. a carriage located within the shield, b. means to mount the carriage in the shield for movement along The shield, c. a plurality of thrust rams mounted on the carriage, to act against the erected tunnel lining, d. releasable means on the carriage to act against fixed reaction means on the shield to prevent movement of the carriage along the shield towards said one end, and e. fixed reaction means on the shield for engagement by said releasable means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
In tunnel boring equipment in which a tubular shield is progressively advanced along a tunnel as excavation proceeds at one end of the shield, a. a carriage located within the shield, b. means to mount the carriage in the shield for movement along The shield, c. a plurality of thrust rams mounted on the carriage, to act against the erected tunnel lining, d. releasable means on the carriage to act against fixed reaction means on the shield to prevent movement of the carriage along the shield towards said one end, and e. fixed reaction means on the shield for engagement by said releasable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Tunnel boring equipment according to claim 1 wherein two fixed reaction means for engagement by said releasable means, which reaction means are spaced apart along the shield.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Tunnel boring equipment according to claim 1 wherein said releasable means on the carriage comprises a plurality of releasable pawls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
168 words
In tunnel boring equipment in which a tubular shield is progressively advanced along a tunnel as boring proceeds, the advance being effected by means of rams acting between anchor or reaction points on the shield and a tunnel lining which is inserted, section by section, behind or within the rear portion of the shield as the boring proceeds, the rams being mounted on a carriage which is movable, with the rams, along the shield, and there are means by which, in at least one position of the carriage, the thrust of the rams may be transmitted to the shield, the improvement wherein the carriage comprises two rings concentric with the shield, means for mounting each ring for movement along the shield, a plurality of rams connected to move said rings towards and away from each other, one ring being capable of engaging the tunnel lining inserted behind or within the rear portion of the shield and the other ring having means for engaging said anchor or reaction points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
In tunnel boring equipment in which a tubular shield is progressively advanced along a tunnel as boring proceeds, the advance being effected by means of rams acting between anchor or reaction points on the shield and a tunnel lining which is inserted, section by section, behind or within the rear portion of the shield as the boring proceeds, the rams being mounted on a carriage which is movable, with the rams, along the shield, and there are means by which, in at least one position of the carriage, the thrust of the rams may be transmitted to the shield, the improvement wherein the carriage comprises two rings concentric with the shield, means for mounting each ring for movement along the shield, a plurality of rams connected to move said rings towards and away from each other, one ring being capable of engaging the tunnel lining inserted behind or within the rear portion of the shield and the other ring having means for engaging said anchor or reaction points.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR325396A
Cited
US1766568A
Cited
US3075591A
Cited
US3247675A
Cited
US3411826A
Cited
US3556599A
Cited
US3613379A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |