Patent US2183263A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3800549A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3800549A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnelling apparatus
Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH
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Filing: 1972-08-25
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A tunnelling apparatus composed of a plurality of elongate planks arranged side-by-side on a circumferential path to form a shield of circular configuration. The planks are separated into two relatively movable groups with the individual members alternately staggered so that a member of one group is disposed between two members of another group. Each group of planks is supported on three axially spaced expandible ring devices used to selectively brace the planks against the tunnel wall. Rams are provided between the rear support device of one group and a central support device of the other group so that the groups can be alternately advanced with the planks of said one group forming a forward support and the planks of said other group forming a rear support. A frame rotatably supporting a drivable cutting head is slidably mounted on the support devices for the forward support and further rams are provided for advancing the frame and cutting head outwardly of the forward support.
Inventors
- 👤 A Lobbe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:54
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/06; E21D9/0692; E21D9/08; E21D9/0875; E21D9/0879
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for use in driving underground tunnels, comprising: a shield having relatively movable wall components, each of said wall components comprising a plurality of substantially parallel elongate members with the members of one wall component being interspersed with the members of the other wall component, means for effecting relative movement between said wall components, and a plurality of devices for supporting the elongate members of each wall component and for selectively bracing the members of the associated wall component against the wall of the tunnel, the support devices being spaced apart axially of said members and arranged in pairs with each device associated with the members of one of the wall components being located adjacent one of the devices associated with the members of the other of the wall components.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for use in driving underground tunnels, comprising: a shield having relatively movable wall components, each of said wall components comprising a plurality of substantially parallel elongate members with the members of one wall component being interspersed with the members of the other wall component, means for effecting relative movement between said wall components, and a plurality of devices for supporting the elongate members of each wall component and for selectively bracing the members of the associated wall component against the wall of the tunnel, the support devices being spaced apart axially of said members and arranged in pairs with each device associated with the members of one of the wall components being located adjacent one of the devices associated with the members of the other of the wall components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein three support devices are provided for each wall component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongate members of the wall components are arranged to lie on a common circumferential path with each of at least some of the elongate members of one of tHe wall components being disposed between two of the elongate members of the other wall component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer faces of the elongate members of a rear one of the wall components are disposed outwardly relative to the outer faces of the elongate members of the other forward wall components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the elongate members is in the form of a plank with a tapered knife-edge at its forward end, each of the elongate members has a trapezoidal cross-section with its greater width disposed outermost.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for effective relative movement between the wall components is in the form of a plurality of double-acting piston and cylinder units each connected between the central support device for a forward wall component and a terminal support device for the other rear wall component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting appliance with a frame which is supported for sliding on a forward one of the wall components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the frame has guide members which engage in recesses defined by brackets attached to the or some of the, support devices for said forward wall components.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, and further comprising means for moving the frame relative to the forward wall component, said moving means comprising piston and cylinder units operably connected between the frame and a rear terminal support device for the other rear wall component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein some of said units are operable to move the appliance outwardly relative to said forward wall component and the remainder of said units are operable to retract the appliance inwardly relative to said forward wall components, said remainder of the units having mountings displaceable longitudinally of the wall components and said some units being detachable and hence inoperative when said remainder of the units are to be operated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cutting appliance has a rotatable cutting head supported by support means on said frame and drive means for the head carried on said frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein piston and cylinder units connected between support means for the head and the frame and operable to align said head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cutting head has a number of radial arms each having removable end pieces supporting cutters.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for use in driving underground tunnels, comprising: a shield having relatively movable wall components, each of said wall components comprising a plurality of substantially parallel elongate members with the members of one wall component being interspersed with the members of the other wall component, a plurality of devices for supporting the elongate members of each wall component, said devices being spaced apart axially of said members with each device being in the form of two half-rings interconnected at their facing ends by piston and cylinder units operable to move the half-rings to thereby expand or contract the device whereby to selectively brace the members of the associated wall component against the wall of the tunnel, and double acting rams coupled between two of the support devices associated with the two wall components for effecting relative movement between the wall components.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for use in driving underground tunnels, comprising: a shield having relatively movable wall components, each of said wall components comprising a plurality of substantially parallel elongate members with the members of one wall component being interspersed with the members of the other wall component, a plurality of devices for supporting the elongate members of each wall component, said devices being spaced apart axially of said members with each device being in the form of two half-rings interconnected at their facing ends by piston and cylinder units operable to move the half-rings to thereby expand or contract the device whereby to selectively brace the members of the associated wall component against the wall of the tunnel, and double acting rams coupled between two of the support devices associated with the two wall components for effecting relative movement between the wall components.
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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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |