US3758146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gripping device for use in laying pipes and tubes
Assignee: Jacobsen Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1971-08-09
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-08-09
Abstract
Abstract The gripping device comprises an expansible mandrel mechanism, an over-center toggle mechanism, a coil spring between the mechanisms, and a flexible cable extending through both mechanisms as well as the interposed spring. The mandrel mechanism includes a plurality of resilient jaws, manual actuation of the toggle mechanism into its over-center position causing the cable to pull a cone in a direction to wedge the jaws outwardly against the interior of the pipe or tube to be buried. The toggle mechanism reacts against an adjusting nut so that the amount of cone movement, and hence the amount of jaw expansion, can be altered. The toggle mechanism connects, via a chain, to a mole that is oscillated forwardly and rearwardly to form a tunnel through which the gripping device and the clamped pipe or tube is pulled.
Inventors
- 👤 W Kaercher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:32
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/54; E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A gripping device for use in burying a tubular member comprising a flexible cable, an outwardly expandable first mechanism connected to said flexible cable at one location thereon and actuatable by movement of said cable in one direction to expand sufficiently to clamp against the interior of the member to be buried, and a second mechanism connected to said flexible cable at a location thereon spaced from said one location for pulling said flexible cable in said one direction to cause expansion and clamping of said first mechanism against said member, whereby that portion of the cable extending between said first and second mechanisms permits said mechanisms to flex angularly relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A gripping device for use in burying a tubular member comprising a flexible cable, an outwardly expandable first mechanism connected to said flexible cable at one location thereon and actuatable by movement of said cable in one direction to expand sufficiently to clamp against the interior of the member to be buried, and a second mechanism connected to said flexible cable at a location thereon spaced from said one location for pulling said flexible cable in said one direction to cause expansion and clamping of said first mechanism against said member, whereby that portion of the cable extending between said first and second mechanisms permits said mechanisms to flex angularly relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 1 including resilient means encircling said flexible cable at a location between said mechanisms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 2 including a first cable clamp for engaging said first mechanism and a second cable clamp for engaging said second mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 3 in which said second mechanism is an over-center mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 4 including a threaded shaft encircling one portion of said cable, and a nut threaded on said threaded shaft portion for positioning said over-center mechanism with respect to said first mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 5 including a coil spring encircling said cable at a location between said mechanisms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 6 including a tubular slug innerjacent said coil spring and circumjacent the portion of said cable extending therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 7 in which said over-center mechanism includes a plunger having a bore therein, one end of said threaded shaft being received in said bore, a pair of links, means pivotally connecting one end of said links to the end of said plunger receiving said threaded shaft, a handle, means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of said links to said handle, a U-shaped sheet metal stamping, means pivotally connecting said handle to said U-shaped stamping, said nut bearing against said U-shaped stamping so as to position said over-center mechanism with respect to said first-mentioned mechanisms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 8 in which the received end of said shaft has a pair of flats, and said pivoting means includes a pair of rivets, each rivet extending through one of said links and the plunger into said bore, the flats on said received ends permitting movement of said rivets without interference relative the received end of said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 in which said first mechanism includes a plurality of resilient jaws and a cone for urging said jaws outwardly into clamping engagement when said flexible cable is pulled by said second mechanism in said one direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 10 in which said resilient jaws each have a shoulder therein for limiting the amount of movement of said cone in a direction toward said second mechanism and thereby restrict the amount of expansion of the free ends of said jaws, a collar encircling said flexible cable and having the other ends of said jaw members integral therewith, said collar having a diameter generally corresponding to that of said cone so as to also be received within said tubular member to be buried.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 1 including a non-resilient centering washer encircling said flexible cable at a location intermediate said mechanisms for closing the open end of the tubular member to be buried.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 12 in which said centering washer has a tapered surface for engaging the open end of the tubular member to be buried.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 13 in which said centering washer has flat ends, one flat end bearing against said second mechanism, the device further including a coil spring encircling said flexible cable having one end thereof engaging the other flat end of said centering washer and its opposite end bearing against said first mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gripping device in accordance with claim 14 including a tubular slug innerjacent said coil spring and circumjacent said cable, said slug having a length less than the uncompressed length of said coil spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |