US3830606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for installing underground pipelines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-03
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are disclosed for installing preformed pipe sections or for manufacturing in place composite pipelines and reinforced and non-reinforced cast in place pipelines. The apparatus includes means for handling the components which consist of rigid pipe sections, cores or forms and flowable backpacking material such as soil, soil-cement or concrete. The apparatus serves as a protective shield and may be selfpropelled. It has optional means of articulation; of lateral and vertical guidance; of installing variable walled core components and of adjusting hopper components to place backfill material on either or both sides or around inner components. Methods are disclosed for manufacturing and installing such pipelines in either narrow or wide trenches or on flat surfaces and of forming all of these pipelines in a continuous, semi-automated fashion. The apparatus includes receptacle and backpacking portions in combination to receive and position the inner pipe sections or core forms and to distribute and trowel flowable backpackingballasting material on the sides, bottom and/or top of the inner units as the apparatus is propelled by reaction of rams against these inner units.
Inventors
- 👤 T Breitfuss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/028; F16L1/036; E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/10; E02F5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus arranged to manipulate rigid inner and flowable outer components for forming underground pipelines comprising: an open topped receptacle portion in which at least the sides form the sides of a trench-like structure, said receptacle being constructed and arranged to receive individual component units through the open top thereof, and said apparatus including means for positioning individual inner component units and for supporting at least one end of an inner component unit in position while the other end thereof is positioned by a previously installed inner component unit and supported by a portion of the previously installed structure while said apparatus is moved longitudinally past said inner component, said apparatus having a backpacking-ballasting portion attached to said receptacle portion, said backpacking-ballasting portion including a hopper-like device with means for controlling the distribution of said flowable outer component on predetermined portions of said inner component while said apparatus advances, and a bulkhead separating said receptacle portion from said backpacking portion, said bulkhead having a peripheral inner opening of approximately the same size and shape as the outer periphery of said inner component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus arranged to manipulate rigid inner and flowable outer components for forming underground pipelines comprising: an open topped receptacle portion in which at least the sides form the sides of a trench-like structure, said receptacle being constructed and arranged to receive individual component units through the open top thereof, and said apparatus including means for positioning individual inner component units and for supporting at least one end of an inner component unit in position while the other end thereof is positioned by a previously installed inner component unit and supported by a portion of the previously installed structure while said apparatus is moved longitudinally past said inner component, said apparatus having a backpacking-ballasting portion attached to said receptacle portion, said backpacking-ballasting portion including a hopper-like device with means for controlling the distribution of said flowable outer component on predetermined portions of said inner component while said apparatus advances, and a bulkhead separating said receptacle portion from said backpacking portion, said bulkhead having a peripheral inner opening of approximately the same size and shape as the outer periphery of said inner component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said receptacle portion includes walls joining the sidewalls and extending upwardly and positioned for providing a shield to restrain soil which impinges against its sides from entering said receptacle.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus arranged to manipulate rigid inner and flowable outer components for forming underground pipelines comprising: an open topped receptacle portion in which at least the sides form the sides of a trench-like structure, said apparatus including means for positioning individual inner component units and for supporting at least one end of an inner component unit in position while the other end thereof is positioned by a previously installed inner component unit and supported by a portion of the previously installed structure while said apparatus is moved longitudinally past said inner component, said apparatus including pushing means mounted in said receptacle portion for utilizing reactive force by pushing against rigid inner components for advancing said apparatus, said apparatus having a backpacking-ballasting portion attached to said receptacle portion, said backpacking-ballasting portion including a hopper-like device with means for controlling the distribution of said flowable outer component on predetermined portions of said inner component while said apparatus advancEs, and a bulkhead separating said receptacle portion from said backpacking portion, said bulkhead having a peripheral inner opening of approximately the same size and shape as the outer periphery of said inner component.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus arranged to manipulate rigid inner and flowable outer components for forming underground pipelines comprising: an open topped receptacle portion in which at least the sides form the sides of a trench-like structure, said apparatus including means for positioning individual inner component units and for supporting at least one end of an inner component unit in position while the other end thereof is positioned by a previously installed inner component unit and supported by a portion of the previously installed structure while said apparatus is moved longitudinally past said inner component, said apparatus including pushing means mounted in said receptacle portion for utilizing reactive force by pushing against rigid inner components for advancing said apparatus, said apparatus having a backpacking-ballasting portion attached to said receptacle portion, said backpacking-ballasting portion including a hopper-like device with means for controlling the distribution of said flowable outer component on predetermined portions of said inner component while said apparatus advancEs, and a bulkhead separating said receptacle portion from said backpacking portion, said bulkhead having a peripheral inner opening of approximately the same size and shape as the outer periphery of said inner component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the inner component is a preformed conduit core unit which may vary in wall thickness about its perimeter, and including means for bonding the inner and outer components together at least at the upper or lower mating surfaces to act as an integral structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including three or more pushing means adapted to be selectively activated to guide said apparatus curvilinearly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which at least said receptacle portion is articulated relative to said backpacking portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said hopper-like structure of said backpacking portion is adapted to be positioned at predetermined elevations relative to said bulkhead, said hopper-like structure is adapted to be selectively adjusted to allow the external component to flow to either side or to both sides of the inner component, and portions of said hopper-like structure are adapted to be positioned selectively to either direct the external component which has flowed down one side, under and up the other side of the inner component to flow over the top of said inner component, to prevent its upward movement beyond a predetermined elevation, or to flow upward without restriction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means attached to the backpacking portion of said apparatus for aiding in maintaining the outer component in a flowable state during distribution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein outrigged stabilizers are provided at least at one end to assist in maintaining the apparatus in an upright position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the inner component is a preformed pipe section which may vary in wall thickness about its perimeter, and wherein said bulkhead includes means for adjusting the opening therein in accordance with the configuration of the outer periphery of said inner component.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the inner component is a removable inner conduit form and wherein means are provided to position reinforcement therearound and the opening in said bulkhead is of approximately the same size and shape as the outer periphery of reinforcement positioned around said inner component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the inner component is a removable inner conduit form and wherein means are provided to position at least tensile reinforcement around the inner component such that said reinforcement becomes embedded in said outer component as said outer component is deposited.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein means are provided to position at least tensile reinforcement around the inner component such that said reinforcement becomes embedded in said outer component as said outer component is deposited.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said bulkhead has an inner opening of approximately the same size and shape as the larger of the outer periphery of the inner component or the outer periphery of reinforcement positioned around said inner component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which means are provided to allow the periphery of the opening in said bulkhead to change to conform to a change in the larger of the outer periphery of said inner component or of said reinforcement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means attached thereto which will at least lower inner component units into said receptacle portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including stabilizer means for holding said receptacle portion upright and in which the side walls of said receptacle portion constitute form means to shape soil which impinges against its sides to the configuration of said receptacle at areas of mutual contact.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided to position at lEast tensile reinforcement around the inner component such that said reinforcement becomes embedded in said outer component as said outer component is deposited.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner component is a removable inner conduit form, said apparatus including means to position at least tensile reinforcement around the inner component such that said reinforcement becomes embedded in said outer component as said outer component is deposited.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the forward end of said receptacle is enclosed for preventing the passage of water into said receptacle.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |