US3750407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel construction method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-01
•
Granted: 1973-08-07
•
Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of constructing tunnels wherein a tunnel is excavated, braced and lined. The invention contemplates that as excavation of the tunnel proceeds load-carrying internal elements are installed within the tunnel, and expandable body members are arranged between the tunnel wall and the surfaces of the internal elements confronting the tunnel wall. These expandable body members are then brought to bear against the tunnel wall and the internal elements in order to form a pressure- or forcetransmitting support.
Inventors
- 👤 W Heierli
- 👤 R Amberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:47
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D11/00; E21D11/14; E21D11/15; E21D11/157; E21D11/04; E21D11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of building a tunnel, which comprises the steps of: a. excavating a tunnel and as excavation proceeds installing load-bearing internal elements at the tunnel; b. arranging expandable body members comprised of expandable sleeves formed of flexible material between the wall of the tunnel and the surface of the internal elements facing such tunnel wall; and c. bringing the body members into bearing contact against the tunnel wall and the internal elements for the purpose of forming a pressure-transmitting support through inflating the expandable sleeves in order to provide a provisional support, and thereafter filling such sleeves with a hardenable material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of building a tunnel, which comprises the steps of: a. excavating a tunnel and as excavation proceeds installing load-bearing internal elements at the tunnel; b. arranging expandable body members comprised of expandable sleeves formed of flexible material between the wall of the tunnel and the surface of the internal elements facing such tunnel wall; and c. bringing the body members into bearing contact against the tunnel wall and the internal elements for the purpose of forming a pressure-transmitting support through inflating the expandable sleeves in order to provide a provisional support, and thereafter filling such sleeves with a hardenable material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of fixing the expandable sleeves to the rear surface of the internal elements intended to confront the tunnel wall prior to the time that the internal elements are installed in the tunnel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of at least partially evacuating the expandable sleeves prior to filling such with the hardenable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the expandable sleeves are initially inflated with air, and further wherein a predetermined pressure is maintained in such sleeves until hardening of the filled material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of using as the hardenable material fine concrete.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of using as the hardenable material cement mortar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the expandable sleeves are filled with the hardenable material from the bottom towards the top thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein an elastically or plastically deformable filling material is used for providing a flexible support.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2328779A
Cited
US2568010A
Cited
US3131541A
Cited
US3334162A
Cited
US3396545A
Cited
US3524320A
Cited
US3492823A
Cited
US3509725A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |