US3762174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective inching shield for pipe-laying
Assignee: CONSTRUCTORS PAMCO US
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Filing: 1972-07-17
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-07-17
Abstract
Abstract The forward end of a large pipe being laid in a trench opens into an open-topped casing. A fluid pressure jack received within the forward portion of the pipe being laid reacts between the forward wall of the casing and a tube within the pipe and anchored to it by expansion means. Extension of the jack to force the casing forward relative to the pipe is followed by retraction of the jack means sufficiently to enable the next pipe section to be placed between the forward end of the pipe and the forward casing wall. A winch anchored from the pipe can draw a crosspiece spanning the open end of the pipe toward the laid pipe for setting the last laid pipe section.
Inventors
- 👤 T Fikse
- 👤 R Scheumann
- 👤 C Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/005; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/028; F16L1/036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Inching shield apparatus for protecting a pipe-laying operation comprising an open-topped casing disposable in a trench ahead of a sectional pipe being laid and including a forward wall and opposite side walls, anchor means received within and operable to grip the interior of laid pipe having a forward end opening into said casing, and force-exerting means engaged between said anchor means and said forward wall of said casing for exerting force to increase the spacing between the pipe forward end and said casing forward wall for receiving a further section of pipe between the forward pipe end and the casing forward wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Inching shield apparatus for protecting a pipe-laying operation comprising an open-topped casing disposable in a trench ahead of a sectional pipe being laid and including a forward wall and opposite side walls, anchor means received within and operable to grip the interior of laid pipe having a forward end opening into said casing, and force-exerting means engaged between said anchor means and said forward wall of said casing for exerting force to increase the spacing between the pipe forward end and said casing forward wall for receiving a further section of pipe between the forward pipe end and the casing forward wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, in which the anchor means include means expandable into engagement with the interior wall of laid pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, in which the expandable means are inflatable bags.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, in which the expandable means include a split tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4, and wedging means for expanding the split tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5, in which the wedging means are operated by the force-exerting means to effect expansion of the expandable means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, in which the anchoring means includes a circumferentially expandable tube and the force-exerting means are located inwardly of said expandable tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, in which the force-exerting means include fluid-pressure jack means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8, and fluid pressure supply means located within laid pipe for supplying fluid under pressure to the jack means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8, in which the jack means are elongated lengthwise of laid pipe and are located within and generally centrally of such laid pipe, and supporting means spaced lengthwise of the pipe from the anchor means for effecting support for the jack means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined in claim 10, in which the supporting means includes wheels engageable with the lower portion of the pipe inner wall and spaced arcuately of the pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8, in which the jack means includes twin cylinders and plungers spaced apart generally horizontally for engagement of the plungers with spaced locations of the casing forward wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, and pulling means engageable between the pipe forward end and the anchor means for effecting movement of the anchor means toward the pipe forward end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus defined in claim 13, in which the pulling means includes a winch located within the laid pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, in which the casing includes arch means spaced longitudinally of the side walls from the forward wall of the casing and spanning between the upper portions of the opposite side walls.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, in which the casing forward wall has shearing edges projecting forwardly therefrom for shearing the trench walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus defined in claim 16, in which the edge flanges include a flange on the bottom of the casing forward wall, pivot means connecting said bottom flange to the casing forward wall, and means connected between said bottom flange and the casing forward wall for effecting swinging of said bottom flange relative to the casing forward wall about a generally horizontal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |