US3856093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spoil ejector for horizontal earth augering machine
Assignee: Salem Tool Co
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Filing: 1973-12-12
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A spoil ejector for a horizontal earth augering machine such as a trench drill. The machine drives a helically vaned auger and cutting head operably connected to a traveling carriage that moves along a supporting frame to advance the cutting head into the earth. A length of pipe to be located in the hole is supported by the machine surrounding the auger and is fed with the auger into the hole by the carriage as the hole is deepened. The spoil dislodged by the cutting head is conveyed rearwardly by the helical vanes of the auger to the rearward end of the pipe. From the end of the pipe the spoil is deposited in a cylindrical housing from which it is ejected in a radial direction through a discharge chute to one side of the machine. The spoil is driven in a circumferential path through the chute by a plurality of radial paddles operatively connected by resilient means to the rotary drive for the auger cutting head for rotation in a circumferential path through the cylindrical housing. As the paddles approach the discharge chute they are flexed rearwardly relative to the direction of travel and then unflexed abruptly as they cross the discharge chute to fling the spoil radially outward to the side of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 C Case
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/003; E21B7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In an augering machine for drilling horizontal holes in the earth and for simultaneously placing lengths of pipe therein, said machine including an auger and cutting head, rotary drive means for said auger and cutting head and a traveling carriage for advancing said auger and cutting head and a length of pipe positioned coaxially around said auger, simultaneously into the hole whereby spoil dislodged by said cutting head is conveyed rearwardly through said pipe by said auger, the improvement which comprises: means defining a spoil ejector chamber adapted to receive spoil for said pipe, a plurality of rotary paddles located in said chamber and adapted to engage and propel spoil deposited in said chamber, resilient means connecting said paddles to said rotary drive means for rotation with said auger, and stationary unflexing means located in said chamber for abruptly releasing paddles, the flexing means of which are flexed, as the paddles reach a predetermined angular position in said chamber, whereby when each paddle passes said unflexing means its respective resilient means unflexes abruptedly and said paddle springs forward to fling spoil in a direction laterally of said carriage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In an augering machine for drilling horizontal holes in the earth and for simultaneously placing lengths of pipe therein, said machine including an auger and cutting head, rotary drive means for said auger and cutting head and a traveling carriage for advancing said auger and cutting head and a length of pipe positioned coaxially around said auger, simultaneously into the hole whereby spoil dislodged by said cutting head is conveyed rearwardly through said pipe by said auger, the improvement which comprises: means defining a spoil ejector chamber adapted to receive spoil for said pipe, a plurality of rotary paddles located in said chamber and adapted to engage and propel spoil deposited in said chamber, resilient means connecting said paddles to said rotary drive means for rotation with said auger, and stationary unflexing means located in said chamber for abruptly releasing paddles, the flexing means of which are flexed, as the paddles reach a predetermined angular position in said chamber, whereby when each paddle passes said unflexing means its respective resilient means unflexes abruptedly and said paddle springs forward to fling spoil in a direction laterally of said carriage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said unflexing means comprises a projection in sAid chamber that engages each of said paddles and flexes its flexing means and then abruptly releases said paddle to so fling said spoil material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient connecting means comprises, for each of said paddles, a plurality of lengths of stranded steel cable connected at one end to said rotary drive means and at their other end to the respective paddle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said lengths of steel cable for each of said paddles are located in a common radial plane relative to the axis of rotation of said paddles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said stationary means comprises a bar element extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said paddles and spaced laterally therefrom, said bar element being adapted to engage the outer edge portion of each of said paddles whereby said resilient means must flex to permit said paddles to bend inwardly and rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation in order to pass said bar element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said spoil ejector chamber has a generally cylindrical form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical spoil ejector chamber is coaxial with said pipe and has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 including a lateral discharge chute communicating with said spoil ejector chamber and adapted to receive and convey to a position laterally of said carriage, spoil being flung by said paddles as they spring forward following engagement with said stationary means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
In combination, an augering machine for drilling horizontal holes in the earth and for simultaneously placing lengths of pipe therein, said machine comprising: an auger and cutting head, rotary drive means for said auger and cutting head, and a traveling carriage for advancing said auger and cutting head and a length of pipe positioned coaxially around said auger, simultaneously into the hole whereby spoil dislodged by said cutting head is conveyed rearwardly through said pipe by said auger, and a spoil ejector assembly located on said carriage, said assembly comprising: means defining a spoil ejector chamber adapted to receive spoil from said pipe, a plurality of rotary paddles located in said chamber and adapted to engage and propel spoil deposited in said chamber, resilient means connecting said paddles to said rotary drive means for rotation with said auger, and stationary unflexing means located in said chamber for abruptly releasing paddles, the flexing means of which are flexed, as the paddles reach a predetermined angular position in said chamber whereby when each paddle passes said stationary means its respective resilient means unflexes abruptedly and said paddle springs forward to fling spoil in a direction laterally of said carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
197 words
In combination, an augering machine for drilling horizontal holes in the earth and for simultaneously placing lengths of pipe therein, said machine comprising: an auger and cutting head, rotary drive means for said auger and cutting head, and a traveling carriage for advancing said auger and cutting head and a length of pipe positioned coaxially around said auger, simultaneously into the hole whereby spoil dislodged by said cutting head is conveyed rearwardly through said pipe by said auger, and a spoil ejector assembly located on said carriage, said assembly comprising: means defining a spoil ejector chamber adapted to receive spoil from said pipe, a plurality of rotary paddles located in said chamber and adapted to engage and propel spoil deposited in said chamber, resilient means connecting said paddles to said rotary drive means for rotation with said auger, and stationary unflexing means located in said chamber for abruptly releasing paddles, the flexing means of which are flexed, as the paddles reach a predetermined angular position in said chamber whereby when each paddle passes said stationary means its respective resilient means unflexes abruptedly and said paddle springs forward to fling spoil in a direction laterally of said carriage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A spoil ejector assembly for propelling spoil deposited therein by a power earth auger, to a position, laterally of the auger axis, comprising: means defining a spoil ejector chamber adapted to receive spoil from a hole being drilled by said auger, at least one rotary paddle located in said chamber and adapted to engage and propel spoil deposited in said chamber, rotary drive means for said paddle, resilient means connecting said paddle to said rotary drive means, and stationary unflexing means located in said chamber for abruptly releasing paddles, the flexing means of which are flexed, as the paddles reach a predetermined angular position in said chamber whereby when said paddle passes said stationary means its resilient means unflexes abruptedly and said paddle springs forward to fling spoil in a direction laterally of said auger axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
136 words
A spoil ejector assembly for propelling spoil deposited therein by a power earth auger, to a position, laterally of the auger axis, comprising: means defining a spoil ejector chamber adapted to receive spoil from a hole being drilled by said auger, at least one rotary paddle located in said chamber and adapted to engage and propel spoil deposited in said chamber, rotary drive means for said paddle, resilient means connecting said paddle to said rotary drive means, and stationary unflexing means located in said chamber for abruptly releasing paddles, the flexing means of which are flexed, as the paddles reach a predetermined angular position in said chamber whereby when said paddle passes said stationary means its resilient means unflexes abruptedly and said paddle springs forward to fling spoil in a direction laterally of said auger axis.
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 |