US3893302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine and method for excavating trenches and for constructing walls in trenches
Assignee: Rapidex Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-25
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1993-10-25
Abstract
Abstract Excavation of trenches and constructing walls in the trenches employing an excavating machine which has a rearwardly directed surface exposed to fluid filling the trench. By employing concrete as the filling fluid the trench walls are supported as excavation proceeds, and the wall is formed on a continuous basis, permitting placement of continuous reinforcement in the concrete. The fluid in the trench applies forward thrust to the excavating machine useful in propelling the machine forward and assisting the excavating elements in their operation at the working face of the trench. By use of a thrust surface which is movable relative to the forward excavator portion of the machine, under the influence of force-applying devices distributed along the height thereof, the machine can be given a supplementary forward thrust, as when recommencing operation after concrete at the machine has set. A stand pipe over the trench at the back of the machine using a hydrostatic leg or a cover providing a closed trench volume and using a pump, augment the fluid force acting upon the thrust surface. A guide rail unit removably suspended in the trench from the back of the machine guides reinforcement members into place throughout the height of the trench, advantageously adjacent sections of reinforcement along the length of the trench being overlapped or interconnected to transfer tension loads between them. An elastomeric mat member removably suspended from the top of the machine and covering the thrust surface allows the machine to readily move forward from concrete which has set next to the machine and provides a seal and expansion joint when imbedded by later-poured concrete. Shield walls on each side of the excavator prevent collapse of the tunnel sides, structurally support the excavating elements, and support and transmit thrust from the rearwardly directed thrust surface. The shields are shown constructed of telescopic sections or may taper toward each other rearwardly of the trench. A chain and bucket excavator is shown, the buckets having hinged side teeth for opening space for the shields, then passing between the shields. Also supplemental augers for forming side protrusions of the trench and a dual counter-rotating auger trencher are shown.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl R Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:51
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/10; E02D; E02D17/00; E02D17/13; E02D5/00; E02D5/18; E02D5/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In the method of excavating a trench in the earth, said method comprising inserting in the earth an excavating machine of a height corresponding to the depth of the trench desired, said excavating machine having a hydraulic thrust surface facing rearwardly relative to the direction of intended advance of the machine, operating said excavating machine to excavate the trench, and filling the trench immediately behind the excavating machine with fluid, the excavating machine preventing entry of equilibrating fluid to its forward side, whereby pressure exerted by said filling fluid upon said thrust surface applies forward propulsive force to said excavating machine to assist it in its operation, that improvement wherein said filling fluid is fluid concrete, the placing of said concrete in said trench to apply forward propulsive force to the excavating machine serving to continuously cast a wall in the trench and including use of means to exert hydraulic pressure in the fluid concrete at said hydraulic thrust surface in excess of the pressure attributable to the weight of fluid concrete in said excavated trench, said means extending rearwardly of the machine over the filled trench to the point where the concrete has hardened sufficiently to withstand said excess pressure, the resulting hydrostatic force assisting in propelling said excavating machine forward.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
In the method of excavating a trench in the earth, said method comprising inserting in the earth an excavating machine of a height corresponding to the depth of the trench desired, said excavating machine having a hydraulic thrust surface facing rearwardly relative to the direction of intended advance of the machine, operating said excavating machine to excavate the trench, and filling the trench immediately behind the excavating machine with fluid, the excavating machine preventing entry of equilibrating fluid to its forward side, whereby pressure exerted by said filling fluid upon said thrust surface applies forward propulsive force to said excavating machine to assist it in its operation, that improvement wherein said filling fluid is fluid concrete, the placing of said concrete in said trench to apply forward propulsive force to the excavating machine serving to continuously cast a wall in the trench and including use of means to exert hydraulic pressure in the fluid concrete at said hydraulic thrust surface in excess of the pressure attributable to the weight of fluid concrete in said excavated trench, said means extending rearwardly of the machine over the filled trench to the point where the concrete has hardened sufficiently to withstand said excess pressure, the resulting hydrostatic force assisting in propelling said excavating machine forward.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a stand pipe filled with fluid concrete and extending above the surface of the earth is employed to increase the hydrostatic force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 including lowering reinforcing members into said trench through an open top of said stand pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thrust surface of said excavating machine is exposed to a close volume, said volume closed by the bottom and sides of the trench, hardened concrete in the trench, and a cover overlying the excavation, and further including the step of pumping fluid concrete into said closed volume with a hydraulic pump thereby to apply fluid pressure to said thrust surface exceeding the hydrostatic pressure attributable to the weight of fluid concrete within said volume.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 1 including restarting the operation of said excavating machine and continuing the pour of concrete after prolonged cessation in which concrete placed prior thereto is set, said thrust surface being movable relative to the excavating portion of the machine in the direction of the trench by force-applying members, said method including activating said excavating machine and activating said force-applying members to press said thrust surface rearwardly against concrete thereby to apply forward propulsive force to said machine, and thereafter reversing said forceapplying members to draw said thrust surface forward and thereafter filling the space between said thrust surface and said set concrete with fluid concrete.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 1 including providing an elastomeric member covering said thrust surface and exposed to said concrete, stopping operation of said excavating machine, allowing the concrete to set against said elastomeric member, moving the excavating machine forward leaving the elastomeric member in place permanently bound to said concrete, thereafter pouring concrete forward of said left-in place elastomeric member to apply propulsive force to said excavating machine and permanently imbed said elastomeric member in said concrete.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 including inserting a guide unit in the treNch, said unit supported by said excavating machine and moving forward therewith, and periodically sliding downwardly adjacent said guide unit a reinforcement assembly, the guide unit serving to position said reinforcement assembly in said trench.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
An excavating machine for forming a trench in earth, said machine defining a rearwardly facing surface forming a progressing advancing front wall of the trench, means sealing said surface to prevent fluid concrete filling the trench from entering space forward of said surface, said surface constructed to withstand the pressure of said fluid concrete, said surface comprising a hydraulic thrust surface, said surface sized relative to the drag of the machine to exert substantial propulsive force to said machine, and including means to exert hydraulic pressure in the fluid concrete at said hydraulic thrust surface in excess of the pressure attributable to the weight of fluid concrete in said excavated trench, said means extending rearwardly of the machine over the filled trench to the point where the concrete has hardened sufficiently to withstand said excess pressure, the resulting hydrostatic force assisting in propelling said excavating machine forward.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
An excavating machine for forming a trench in earth, said machine defining a rearwardly facing surface forming a progressing advancing front wall of the trench, means sealing said surface to prevent fluid concrete filling the trench from entering space forward of said surface, said surface constructed to withstand the pressure of said fluid concrete, said surface comprising a hydraulic thrust surface, said surface sized relative to the drag of the machine to exert substantial propulsive force to said machine, and including means to exert hydraulic pressure in the fluid concrete at said hydraulic thrust surface in excess of the pressure attributable to the weight of fluid concrete in said excavated trench, said means extending rearwardly of the machine over the filled trench to the point where the concrete has hardened sufficiently to withstand said excess pressure, the resulting hydrostatic force assisting in propelling said excavating machine forward.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein said rearwardly directed surface is defined by a wall movable relative to the excavator portion of the machine in the direction of the trench, and force-applying members adapted to urge said wall against set concrete thereby to apply propulsive force to the excavator portion of the machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
The machine of claim 8 including a pair of side shield walls disposed on opposite sides thereof to engage the sides of the trench being excavated to prevent cave-in, said rearwardly directed surface is provided by a wall extending between and joined to said shield walls and wherein said shields taper toward each other in the rearward direction of the machine whereby rearward portions of the shield allow predetermined expansion of the sides of the trench inwardly of the trench as the machine moves forward.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The machine of claim 8 including a guide unit removably mounted on said machine, said guide unit providing a guide path for insertion of reinforcing members into said trench to the rear of said rearwardly directed surface, said guide unit movable forwardly progressively with said machine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein said rearwardly directed surface is shaped to receive a vertical insert member for exposure to fluid concrete in the trench, the insert member being detachably held in place upon the machine by a top support from which it hangs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine of claim 8 including deflecting plates along the side of the excavator for guidence thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
The machine of claim 8 having an excavator portion mounted on a frame extending the depth of said trench, said frame mounted on a tractor, said tractor including propulsion means for advancing the tractor along the earth, said frame being rotatable relative to said tractor permitting said frame to rest substantially horizontally on the earth at start-up, whereby driving of said excavator portion of said machine during start-up allows said excavator portion to enter the earth and move to a generally vertical position to initiate formation of the trench.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
The machine of claim 8 in combination with a cover means extending rearwardly from said thrust surface to overlie said trench and form a closed fluid volume in conjunction with the sides and bottom of the trench and set concrete in rearward portions of the trench and means for increasing fluid pressure within said closed volume above the hydrostatic pressure attributable to the weight of concrete in said volume thereby to augment propulsive thrust applied to said machine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine of claim 15 wherein said cover means and the remainder of said machine are arranged so that the weight of said excavating machine holds said cover in sealed relation to the top of said trench.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine of claim 15 wherein said cover is adapted for attachment to curb members along the sides of the trench for holding said cover in place during application of said pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The machine of claim 15 in combination with a fluid concrete pump for introducing into said closed volume fluid concrete under pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
The machine of claim 15 wherein said rearwardly directed thrust surface is defined by a wall movable relative to the excavator portion of the machine in the direction of the trench and reversible force-applying members adapted to urge said wall rearwardly against fluid concrete contained in said volume thereby to apply propulsive force to advance the excavator portion of the machine, and thereafter operable to draw said wall forwardly closer to the excavator portion of the machine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
76 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein shield walls have generally upright portions extending downwardly from the surface of the earth and at least one of said shield walls at a point spaced below the surface of the earth having a side protrusion for forming a side protrusion in a wall cast in said trench, said thrust surface having a contour matched to said protrusion, said excavating machine constructed to excavate the space defined by said protrusion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The machine of claim 20 including a bucket and chain excavator for excavating generally between said shields and a supplemental auger positioned at said protrusion of said shield, for excavating and feeding loosened material to said chain and bucket excavator for removal from the trench.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein said excavating machine comprises a pair of intermeshed, counter-rotating augers disposed between shield walls and extending downwardly along the excavation face of the trench.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein said means to exert said excess hydraulic pressure includes a stand pipe adapted to be filled with fluid concrete.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine of claim 23 including means for introducing reinforcement members through the top of said stand pipe through the fluid concrete therein to the concrete-filled trench.
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) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |