US3870279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stepper carriage advancement system
Assignee: Allied Steel and Tractor Products Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-11
•
Granted: 1975-03-11
•
Expires: 1992-09-11
Abstract
Abstract An advancement mechanism for horizontal earth boring machinery which can automatically advance or retract the boring unit without independent manipulation of the locking unit associated with the advancement mechanism. The device comprises a set of dogs pivotally mounted on the advancement mechanism so as to engage rails provided to support the earth boring equipment. A variable volume pump is employed with a hydraulic cylinder to alternately advance the earth boring machine and the advancement mechanism. Further, a lever is employed which has the capability of automatically switching the direction of flow of the hydraulic pump to enable the progression of the total unit to be completely automatic.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard A Century
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/086; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18992; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An advancement mechanism for a horizontal earth boring machine supported on rails and comprising a base capable of being moved along the rails in first and second directions, rigid members pivotally mounted to said base and extending to the rails, and means on the rails for engaging said rigid members with the rails, said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said first direction and said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said second direction, and stops movably mounted on said base capable of being positioned to selectively interfere with pivotal movement of said rigid members to constrain said members when in engagement with said means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An advancement mechanism for a horizontal earth boring machine supported on rails and comprising a base capable of being moved along the rails in first and second directions, rigid members pivotally mounted to said base and extending to the rails, and means on the rails for engaging said rigid members with the rails, said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said first direction and said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said second direction, and stops movably mounted on said base capable of being positioned to selectively interfere with pivotal movement of said rigid members to constrain said members when in engagement with said means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
An advancement mechanism for a horizontal earth boring machine supported on rails and comprising a base capable of being moved along the rails in first and second directions, rigid members pivotally mounted to said base and extending to the rails, and means on the rails for engaging said rigid members with the rails, said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said first direction and said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said second direction, and stops movably mounted on said base capable of being positioned to selectively interfere with pivotal movement of said rigid members to constrain said members when in engagement with said means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
An advancement mechanism for a horizontal earth boring machine supported on rails and comprising a base capable of being moved along the rails in first and second directions, rigid members pivotally mounted to said base and extending to the rails, and means on the rails for engaging said rigid members with the rails, said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said first direction and said engaging means allowing pivotal movement of said rigid members into and out of engagement with the rails when said base is moved in said second direction, and stops movably mounted on said base capable of being positioned to selectively interfere with pivotal movement of said rigid members to constrain said members when in engagement with said means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said stops include a shaft pivotally mounted to said base, and two blocks fixed to said shaft, said shaft and said blocks being positioned to pivot into the pivotal path of said rigid members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the advancement mechanism further comprises means for driving said base, said driving means including a hydraulic cylinder operably fixed to said advancement mechanism and to the horizontal earth boring machine, a variable volume pump hydraulically connected to said cylinder, and means for controlling the volume and the direction of flow of said pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said control means comprises a lever arm of sufficient mass to carry by its momentum said variable volume pump into a reversed flow mode when said cylinder reaches each end of its stroke.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
An advancement mechanism for a horizontal earth boring machine supported on rails and comprising a base, means mounted to said base for engaging the rails to selectively lock the base thereto, means for driving said base, including a hydraulic cylinder fixed at one end to said base and to the horizontal earth boring machine at a second end, a variable volume pump hydraulically connected to said cylinder, and means for controlling the volume and direction of flow of said pump, said control means including a lever arm of sufficient mass to carry by its momentum said variable volume pump into a reversed flow when said cylinder reaches each end of its stroke.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
An advancement mechanism for a horizontal earth boring machine supported on rails and comprising a base, means mounted to said base for engaging the rails to selectively lock the base thereto, means for driving said base, including a hydraulic cylinder fixed at one end to said base and to the horizontal earth boring machine at a second end, a variable volume pump hydraulically connected to said cylinder, and means for controlling the volume and direction of flow of said pump, said control means including a lever arm of sufficient mass to carry by its momentum said variable volume pump into a reversed flow when said cylinder reaches each end of its stroke.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US122814A
Cited
US680683A
Cited
US1967027A
Cited
US2209528A
Cited
US2394194A
Cited
US2833531A
Cited
US2740358A
Cited
US3040677A
Cited
US3121560A
Cited
US3190371A
Cited
US3682261A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |