US3855807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe transporting and laying vehicle and method
Assignee: WASTELAND RECLAMATION CORP
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Filing: 1973-07-18
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A carrier vehicle movable over terrain and water comprises A. A FLOATABLE HULL TO FLOAT THE VEHICLE IN A BODY OF WATER, AND B. ARTICULATED LEGS CARRIED BY THE VEHICLE AND CONNECTED THEREWITH TO ENGAGE THE TERRAIN FOR LIFTING AND ADVANCING THE VEHICLE THEREOVER. The vehicle is especially adapted to laying pipe over difficult terrain and through rivers and lakes.
Inventors
- 👤 D Grable
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:57
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/96; E02F3/963; E02F3/964; E02F1/00; E02F5/00; E02F5/006; E02F5/02; E02F5/10; E02F5/102; E02F7/00; E02F7/06; E02F9/00; E02F9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a carrier vehicle movable over terrain and water, a. a floatable hull to float the vehicle in a body of water, and b. articulated legs carried by the vehicle and connected therewith to engage the terrain for lifting and advancing the vehicle thereover, said legs including terminal backhoes engageable with the terrain. 2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is elongated, and said legs are carried at opposite ends of the vehicle and have retracted positions in which the legs are raised relative to the hull, and extended positions in which the legs are lowered relative to the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle of claim 1 including power cylinder means connected between sections of each leg which are articulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 1 including a framework extending directly below the hull to support the vehicle on terrain upon upward retraction of the legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vehicle of claim 1 including pipe laying mechanism carried by the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the vehicle is floatably supported by the hull in a body of water, and at least one of said legs is extended to engage earthen material to resist travel of the hull in said body of water, and at least another leg is extended into a pipe trench being dug thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein said mechanism includes a pipe rack, and a crane operable to remove pipe from the rack for end-to-end connection to pipe being laid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein one of said legs supports the terminal portion of a pipe line to which pipe section on the vehicle are connectible.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
The method of laying pipe, and employing a carrier vehicle supported on the terrain by articulated legs that includes a. supporting pipe section on the vehicle, b. operating said legs to transport the vehicle over the terrain, and operating at least one of said legs to dig a trench to receive the pipe; and c. intermittently connecting pipe sections from the vehicle endwise onto a pipe line being laid and extending proximate the vehicle, the vehicle including a floatable hull, and wherein said intermittent connection of the pipe sections is at least in part carried out while the hull is floating on a body of water.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
The method of laying pipe, and employing a carrier vehicle supported on the terrain by articulated legs that includes a. supporting pipe section on the vehicle, b. operating said legs to transport the vehicle over the terrain, and operating at least one of said legs to dig a trench to receive the pipe; and c. intermittently connecting pipe sections from the vehicle endwise onto a pipe line being laid and extending proximate the vehicle, the vehicle including a floatable hull, and wherein said intermittent connection of the pipe sections is at least in part carried out while the hull is floating on a body of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of said legs is operated to engage the terrain to position said floating hull during the connection step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 including supporting the terminal end of the pipe line via one of said legs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a carrier vehicle movable over terrain and water, a. a floatable hull to float the vehicle in a body of water, b. articulated legs carried by the vehicle and connected therewith to engage the terrain for lifting and advancing the vehicle thereover, and c. pipe laying mechanism carried by the vehicle, said mechanism including a pipe rack, and a crane operable to remove pipe from the rack for end-to-end connection to pipe being laid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a carrier vehicle movable over terrain and water, a. a floatable hull to float the vehicle in a body of water, b. articulated legs carried by the vehicle and connected therewith to engage the terrain for lifting and advancing the vehicle thereover, and c. pipe laying mechanism carried by the vehicle, said mechanism including a pipe rack, and a crane operable to remove pipe from the rack for end-to-end connection to pipe being laid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a carrier vehicle movable over terrain and water, a. a floatable hull to float the vehicle in a body of water, and b. articulated legs carried by the vehicle and connected therewith to engage the terrain for lifting and advancing the vehicle thereover, And c. pipe laying mechanism carried by the vehicle, d. one of said legs supporting the terminal portion of a pipe line to which pipe sections on the vehicle are connectible.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a carrier vehicle movable over terrain and water, a. a floatable hull to float the vehicle in a body of water, and b. articulated legs carried by the vehicle and connected therewith to engage the terrain for lifting and advancing the vehicle thereover, And c. pipe laying mechanism carried by the vehicle, d. one of said legs supporting the terminal portion of a pipe line to which pipe sections on the vehicle are connectible.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of laying pipe, and employing a carrier vehicle supported on the terrain by articulated legs that includes a. supporting pipe sections on the vehicle, b. operating said legs to transport the vehicle over the terrain; c. intermittently connecting pipe sections from the vehicle endwise onto a pipe line being laid and extending proximate the vehicle, and supporting the terminal ends of the pipe line via an articulated leg.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of laying pipe, and employing a carrier vehicle supported on the terrain by articulated legs that includes a. supporting pipe sections on the vehicle, b. operating said legs to transport the vehicle over the terrain; c. intermittently connecting pipe sections from the vehicle endwise onto a pipe line being laid and extending proximate the vehicle, and supporting the terminal ends of the pipe line via an articulated leg.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |