Method and apparatus for backfilling an underground cavity

Claim 3

The method defined in claim 1, wherein the fill material is emitted from a laterally facing port in said first conduit means in a lateral direction into said cavity, and wherein said pressurized air includes at least one continuous laterally directed air jet which conveys said material laterally in the cavity.

Claim 4

The method defined in claim 2, wherein the first conduit means is rotatable so that the fill material may be distributed in the cavity in any desired lateral direction.

Claim 5

The method defined in claim 3, wherein the fill material descends by gravity through said first conduit means.

Claim 6

The method defined in claim 1, wherein the pressurized air includes a plurality of continuous air jets flowing in the same direction.

Claim 7

The method defined in claim 2, wherein said pressurized air includes a plurality of continuous air jets flowing in the same lateral direction.

Claim 8

Apparatus for backfilling an underground cavity comprising first vertical conduit means adapted to extend downwardly through a bore hole to said cavity and including a discharge port from which fill material is deposited into said cavity, air supply means including second conduit means located externally of said first conduit means and nozzle means connected to the lower end of said second conduit means and mounted adjacent said discharge port for directing a continuous flow of pressurized air into the fill material deposited in the cavity to thereby displace the material laterally within the cavity.

Claim 9

Apparatus for backfilling an underground cavity comprising first vertical conduit means adapted to extend downwardly through a bore hole to said cavity and including a discharge port from which fill material is deposited into said cavity, air supply means including second conduit means located externally of said first conduit means and nozzle means connected to the lower end of said second conduit means and mounted adjacent said discharge port for directing a continuous flow of pressurized air into the fill material deposited in the cavity to thereby displace the material laterally within the cavity.

Claim 10

The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein said discharge port opens laterally into said cavity and said nozzle means emits at least one laterally directed air jet which conveys the fill material from said port in a lateral direction within the cavity.

Claim 11

The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein said nozzle means includes a plurality of nozzle openings which provide a plurality of air jets flowing in the same lateral direction to convey the fill material from said port in a lateral direction within the cavity.

Claim 12

The apparatus defined in claim 8, comprising mounting means for supporting said first conduit means and permitting rotation thereof, whereby the fill material may be distributed into said cavity in any desired lateral direction.

Claim 13

The apparatus defined in claim 10, said mounting means comprising a tubular support section fixed to the upper end of said first conduit means, a rotatable plate, and means connecting said tubular section to said plate.

Claim 14

The apparatus defined in claim 11, said connecting means comprising support collar means mounted on said plate and including separable collar sections which when assembled on said tubular section support said first conduit means from said plate.

Claim 15

The apparatus as defined in claim 12, said mounting means further comprising a stationary plate, bearing means mounting said rotatable plate on said stationary plate, and retainer means for holding said plates together.

Claim 16

The apparatus defined in claim 13, said mounting means further including adjusting means connected to said stationary plate for adjusting the position of said stationary plate on ground surface.

Claim 17

The apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said second conduit means includes a flexible air hose adapted to extend down the bore hole and connected to said air nozzle means to deliver pressurized air thereto.

Claim 18

The apparatus defined in claim 7, said second conduit means including a flexible air hose adapted to extend down the bore hole and connected to said air nozzle means.

Claim 19

The apparatus defined in claim 16, said nozzle means including a plurality of nozZle openings which provide a plurality of air jets flowing in the same direction for displacing the material laterally within the cavity.

Claim 20

The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein said nozzle means includes a plurality of nozzle openings which provide a plurality of air jets flowing in the same direction to displace the material within the cavity.