US3870368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunneling shield
Assignee: Tamrock Canada Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-23
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A tunneling shield for shielding the area of a tunnel between first and second tunnel machine assemblies which are longitudinally, relative to the axis of the tunnel, movable relative to each other comprising a plurality of extendable and retractable support beams, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel with the axis of the tunnel. The support beams may be disposed near the wall of the tunnel at circumferentially spaced intervals from each other and connected at each end to a first and second tunnel machine assembly by flexible joints. Each of the support beams may comprise first and second telescopically engagable members to effect extension and retraction of the support beams in response to relative movement between the first and second machine assemblies.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas F Winberg
- 👤 Norman D Dyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:32
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/10; E21D9/11; E21D19/00; E21D19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; and e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween, said shield means comprising flexible joint means at each end thereof connecting said shield means to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; and e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween, said shield means comprising flexible joint means at each end thereof connecting said shield means to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; and e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween, said shield means comprising flexible joint means at each end thereof connecting said shield means to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; and e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween, said shield means comprising flexible joint means at each end thereof connecting said shield means to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said shield means comprises a plurality of extendable and retractable support beams the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel with the axis of said tunnel, said support beams being disposed near the wall of said tunnel at circumferentially spaced intervals from each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as set forth in claim 2 in which each of said support beams includes a first tubular member telescopically receiving a second member to effect extension and retraction of said support beam in response to relative longitudinal movement between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A machine as set forth in claim 3 in which the cross sections of said first and second members are of decreasing dimensions from the outer periphery of said shield means radially inward toward said tunnel axis so that the space between said support beams is no greater at the said outer periphery than it is radially inwardly thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine as set forth in claim 4 in which said first and second members are tubular and are trapezoidal in cross section, the base of said trapezoidal cross sections lying at said outer periphery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween; and f. cylindrical shell means stationarily affixed to said gripper assembly for disposition adjacent the wall of said tunnel, one end of said shield means being connected to said shell means by flexible joint means and the other end of said shield means being connected to said cutterhead support assembly by flexible joint means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
165 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween; and f. cylindrical shell means stationarily affixed to said gripper assembly for disposition adjacent the wall of said tunnel, one end of said shield means being connected to said shell means by flexible joint means and the other end of said shield means being connected to said cutterhead support assembly by flexible joint means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine as set forth in claim 6 in which said shield means comprises a plurality of extendable and retractable support beams, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel with the axis of said tunnel, said support beams being disposed near the wall of said tunnel at circumferentially spaced intervals from each other, each of said support beams including a first tubular member telescopically receiving a second tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
157 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween; and f. arcuate support means connected to said gripper means, one end of said shield means being connected to said arcuate support means by flexible joint means and the other end of said shield means being connected to said cutterhead support assembly by flexible joint means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
157 words
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising: a. a main beam assembly for longitudinal disposition within said tunnel; b. cutterhead support assembly connected to said main beam assembly; c. a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; d. a gripper assembly slidably connected to said main beam assembly and engageable with the walls of said tunnel for advancing said main beam, cutterhead support and cutterhead assemblies longitudinally through said tunnel; e. extendable and retractable shield means connected to said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies for shielding the area of said tunnel between said cutterhead support and gripper assemblies regardless of the relative longitudinal distance therebetween; and f. arcuate support means connected to said gripper means, one end of said shield means being connected to said arcuate support means by flexible joint means and the other end of said shield means being connected to said cutterhead support assembly by flexible joint means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A machine as set forth in claim 8 in which said gripper assembly comprises a gripper carriage slidable on said main beam assembly, a pair of grippers carried by said carriage and radially movable relative to the walls of said tunnel and means for selective radial extension and retraction of said grippers relative to said tunnel walls for engagement and nonengagement therewith, said arcuate support means being connected to said grippers and being provided with sliding joints to permit lengthening and foreshortening of said arcuate support means in response to said extension and retraction of said grippers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as set forth in claim 8 in which said arcuate support means is connected to said gripper carriage by piston and cylinder means extendable and retractable to position said arcuate support means against and away from the crown of said tunnel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A machine as set forth in claim 8 in which said shield means comprises a plurality of extendable and retractable support beams, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel with the axis of said tunnel, said support beams being disposed near the wall of said tunnel at circumferentially spaced intervals from each other.
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) | 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 |