US3789614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Complete pipelayer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-29
•
Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Pipe to be laid underground is laid on the ground connected. Vibrating rippers straddle the pipe and shatter the ground on either side of the path where the pipe is to be laid. The rippers are tied together so they have no resultant horizontal vibration, but each is free to vibrate vertically. The rippers are vertically vibrated out of phase. A chute behind the rippers push the shattered soil laterally and guide the pipe to the bottom of the trench thus formed. The front of the chute has doors which open to permit the chute to be pushed down over the pipe and to be picked up from the pipe, but which are closed during operation.
Inventors
- 👤 T Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:29
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/10; E02F5/102; E02F5/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An earthworking device comprising: a. a frame, b. hitch means on said frame for attaching the frame to a draft vehicle, c. a pair of rippers attached to the frame, d. an eccentric weight mounted on each ripper, e. rotary means for rotating said weights about an axis aligned with the direction of draft, f. said rotary means timed to rotate the weights in the same direction with one weight in a position of 180* from the other weight, g. a horizontal pin aligned with the direction of draft attached to each ripper, h. a link pivoted to each pin so the rippers are substantially free to move vertically with respect to one another, but are restrained from movement horizontally to each other, and j. down-pressure means for applying weight to the link, k. said down-pressure means attached to the center of said link.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An earthworking device comprising: a. a frame, b. hitch means on said frame for attaching the frame to a draft vehicle, c. a pair of rippers attached to the frame, d. an eccentric weight mounted on each ripper, e. rotary means for rotating said weights about an axis aligned with the direction of draft, f. said rotary means timed to rotate the weights in the same direction with one weight in a position of 180* from the other weight, g. a horizontal pin aligned with the direction of draft attached to each ripper, h. a link pivoted to each pin so the rippers are substantially free to move vertically with respect to one another, but are restrained from movement horizontally to each other, and j. down-pressure means for applying weight to the link, k. said down-pressure means attached to the center of said link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 with additional limitations of m. said rippers spaced apart so the rippers may straddle a pipeline to be laid, and n. a chute having i. rigid vertical sides and ii. a closable front, iii. the bottom of the chute being about the same depth as the bottom of the Ripper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 with added limitations of o. said closable front having a V-shaped forward section, p. each wing of said V-shaped forward section hinged to one of said rigid vertical sides, q. power means for opening the closing said V-shaped section, so that r. the front may be opened to push the chute down over a pipeline laying on the ground and may be closed thereafter to open the ditch for operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 with added limitations of s. a roller in the chute adapted to ride on top of the pipe, t. means for exerting downward pressure upon the roller and thus the pipe, and u. adjustment means for moving the roller to a different position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A pipelaying machine comprising: a. a frame, b. hitch means on said frame for attaching the frame to a draft vehicle thereto, c. a pair of rippers attached to the frame d. with a space therebetween so that the rippers straddle a pipeline to be laid when in operation, and e. a chute attached to the frame, f. the chute having i. rigid vertical sides and ii. a closable front, iii. the bottom of the chute being about the same depth as the bottom of the rippers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A pipelaying machine comprising: a. a frame, b. hitch means on said frame for attaching the frame to a draft vehicle thereto, c. a pair of rippers attached to the frame d. with a space therebetween so that the rippers straddle a pipeline to be laid when in operation, and e. a chute attached to the frame, f. the chute having i. rigid vertical sides and ii. a closable front, iii. the bottom of the chute being about the same depth as the bottom of the rippers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with added limitations of g. said closable front having a V-shaped forward section, h. each wing of said V-shaped forward section hinged to one of said rigid vertical sides, j. power means for opening and closing said V-shaped section, so that k. the front may be opened to push the chute down over a pipeline laying on the ground and may be closed thereafter to open the ditch for operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with added limitations of g. a roller in the chute adapted to ride on top of the pipe. h. means for exerting downward pressure upon the roller and thus the pipe, and j. adjustment means for moving the roller to a different position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with added limitations of g. a roller at the forward portion of the chute near the top thereof, h. said roller as high as the top of said closable front so the pipe rides thereover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with an added limitation of g. vibrating means for vibrating said rippers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with added limitations of g. an eccentric weight mounted on each ripper, h. rotating means for rotating said weights about an axis aligned with the direction of draft, j. said rotary means timed to rotate the weights in the same direction with one weight always in a position of 180* from the other weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 with an added limitation of k. interconnecting means between said rippers for maintaining the same horizontal spacing between said rippers while permitting vertical movement of either ripper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 with added limitations of k. a horizontal pivot pin aligned with the direction of draft attached to each ripper, m. a link pivoted to each pin so the rippers are substantially free to move vertically with respect to one another, but are restrained from movement horizontally to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with g. means for vibrating said rippers out of phase so the total result of vibration of each of the two rippers is in the vertical direction solely, and no resultant vibration of the two rippers together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 with added limitations of h. said closable front having a V-shaped forward section, j. each wing of said V-shaped forward section hinged to one of said rigid vertical sides, k. power means for opening and closing said V-shaped section, so that m. the front may be opened to push the chute down over a pipeline laying on the ground and may be closed thereafter to open thE ditch for operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 with added limitations of n. a roller in the chute adapted to ride on top of the pipe, o. means for exerting downward pressure upon the roller and thus the pipe, and p. adjustment means for moving the roller to a different position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 with added limitations of q. a roller at the forward portion of the chute near the top thereof, r. said roller as high as the top of said closable front so the pipe rides thereover.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of laying a pipeline underground comprising: a. laying the pipe i. on top of the ground ii. connected iii. along the path it is to be buried, b. shattering the soil i. on either side of the pipe ii. to a depth it is to be laid, c. opening a ditch by shoving the soil laterally from the path, d. holding the ditch open by e. moving a chute along the ditch, f. guiding the pipe into the ditch, and g. allowing the ditch to close i. behind the chute ii. over the pipe.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of laying a pipeline underground comprising: a. laying the pipe i. on top of the ground ii. connected iii. along the path it is to be buried, b. shattering the soil i. on either side of the pipe ii. to a depth it is to be laid, c. opening a ditch by shoving the soil laterally from the path, d. holding the ditch open by e. moving a chute along the ditch, f. guiding the pipe into the ditch, and g. allowing the ditch to close i. behind the chute ii. over the pipe.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein the step of shattering the soil is accomplished by h. drawing rippers through the soil on both sides of the pipeline.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 18 with an added limitation of j. vibrating said rippers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 19 with an added limitation of k. vibrating said rippers out of phase to restrict the resultant vibration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 20 with an added limitation of m. pushing down upon the vibrating rippers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 with added limitations of h. opening the front of the chute to place the chute over the pipe laid on the ground, and j. closing the front after it has been placed over the pipe whereby the closed front of the chute is the means by which the ditch is opened.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 with an added limitation of k. pushing the pipe downward into the ditch by an element on the chute.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of shattering the soil is accomplished by m. drawing rippers through the soil on both sides of the pipeline, and n. vibrating said rippers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 with added limitations of o. vibrating said rippers out of phase to restrict the resultant vibration, and p. pushing down upon the vibrating rippers.
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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |