Patent US3926005A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3926005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel driving apparatus
Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH
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Filing: 1974-07-02
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An advanceable shield for a tunnel driving apparatus which is composed of a series of elongate members arranged side-by-side and supported on relatively movable frames to define an internal excavating space. The members are selectively connectible with the frames and can be advanced by relative displacement between the frames. Some of the members, preferably over the floor region of the shield, are each of multi-part construction with a main elongate hollow body and a U-shaped hollow component pivotably connected thereto and receivable therein. Means, such as a piston and cylinder unit is provided to move the component in relation to main body so as to expand or contract a dimension at the rear end of the member to thereby permit the member to tilt about an axis extending transversally of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel. In this way control of the direction of advancement of the tunnel can be effected.
Inventors
- 👤 Adolf Foik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:27
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/06; E21D9/0692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An advanceable shield for a tunnelling machine, said shield comprising: a plurality of individual longitudinally displaceable elongate members arranged side-by-side and disposed generally around the longitudinal axis of a tunnel, said elongate members contacting and supporting the tunnel wall to define a excavation space, means for supporting and guiding all said elongate members during longitudinal movement, means for selectively shifting one or more of said elongate members at a time in the longitudinal direction of tunnel advance, at least one of said elongate members having a main body, a further component displaceably attached to said main body, and means for selectively displacing said further component generally transversally of the longitudinal axis of said main body, said selective displacing means operably controlling the direction of tunnel advancement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An advanceable shield for a tunnelling machine, said shield comprising: a plurality of individual longitudinally displaceable elongate members arranged side-by-side and disposed generally around the longitudinal axis of a tunnel, said elongate members contacting and supporting the tunnel wall to define a excavation space, means for supporting and guiding all said elongate members during longitudinal movement, means for selectively shifting one or more of said elongate members at a time in the longitudinal direction of tunnel advance, at least one of said elongate members having a main body, a further component displaceably attached to said main body, and means for selectively displacing said further component generally transversally of the longitudinal axis of said main body, said selective displacing means operably controlling the direction of tunnel advancement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
An advanceable shield for a tunnelling machine, said shield comprising: a plurality of individual longitudinally displaceable elongate members arranged side-by-side and disposed generally around the longitudinal axis of a tunnel, said elongate members contacting and supporting the tunnel wall to define an excavation space, means for supporting and guiding all said elongate members during longitudinal movement, means for selectively shifting one or more of said elongate members at a time in the direction of tunnel advance, at least one of said members having a main body, a further component, means for pivotally connecting said further component to said main body, and means for pivotally displacing said further component upwardly or downwardly with relation to a plane containing an external surface of said main body, said further component engaging the tunnel wall, said pivotal displacement means operably controlling the direction of tunnel advancement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
An advanceable shield for a tunnelling machine, said shield comprising: a plurality of individual longitudinally displaceable elongate members arranged side-by-side and disposed generally around the longitudinal axis of a tunnel, said elongate members contacting and supporting the tunnel wall to define an excavation space, means for supporting and guiding all said elongate members during longitudinal movement, means for selectively shifting one or more of said elongate members at a time in the direction of tunnel advance, at least one of said members having a main body, a further component, means for pivotally connecting said further component to said main body, and means for pivotally displacing said further component upwardly or downwardly with relation to a plane containing an external surface of said main body, said further component engaging the tunnel wall, said pivotal displacement means operably controlling the direction of tunnel advancement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said selective displacing means is a piston and cylinder unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shield according to claim 2, wherein said pivotal displacement means is a piston and cylinder unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said main body of said at least one elongate member is of elongate form having a cutting portion at the forward end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A shield according to clAim 1, wherein said main body and said further component of said at least one elongate member are each of elongate form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said main body of said at least one elongate member is of hollow construction and said further component fits at least partly within said main body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said further component of said at least one elongate member is pivotally connected to said main body thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A shield according to claim 8, wherein a first portion of the length of said main body of said at least one elongate member has an inverted substantially U-shaped cross-section, and said further component pivots within said first portion of the length of said main body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A shield according to claim 9, wherein said first portion of said main body of said at least one elongate member adjoins a second portion of said main body, said second portion having a rectangular cross-section, said second portion mounting a cutting portion at its forward end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A shield according to claim 9, wherein said first portion of said main body of said at least one elongate member has side walls and a top wall defining the inverted substantially U-shaped cross-section, each of said side walls being tapered to decrease its vertical dimension towards the rearward end of said main body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
A shield according to claim 11, wherein said further component of said at least one elongate member has side walls and a bottom wall defining a generally U-shaped cross-section, said further component bottom wall facing said first portion top wall, each of said side walls of said further component being tapered to decrease its vertical dimension towards the rearward end of said main body, and wherein said further component is pivotally attached to said main body by pivot pins extending through said side walls of said first portion of said main body and through said further component and projecting inwardly thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A shield according to claim 10, wherein said first portion of said main body of said at least one elongate member has side walls and a top wall defining the inverted substantially U-shaped cross-section, each of said side walls being tapered to decrease its vertical dimension towards the rearward end of said main body, said second portion has side walls continuous with said side walls of said first portion, a top wall continuous with said top wall of said first portion, and a bottom wall parallel to said top wall of said first portion, said second portion bottom wall terminates at the juncture between said first portion and said second portion, and wherein a shoulder is formed at the junction of said side walls of said first portion and said second portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A shield according to claim 12, wherein said main body and said further component of said at least one elongate member are each provided with reinforcement webs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A shield according to claim 13, wherein said further component of said at least one elongate member is generally of U-shaped cross-section having side walls and a bottom wall disposed to face said top walls of said first and second portions of said main body, said side walls of said further component being tapered to decrease its vertical dimension towards the rearward end of said first portion of said main body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A shield according to claim 15, wherein said further component is adjustable by said selective displacing means between a first position wherein said further component bottom wall is co-planar with said bottom wall of said second portion of said main body, and a second position wherein said further component bottom wall is disposed vertically above a plane containing said bottom wall of said second portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein each said elongate member has a cutting portion at its forward end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said elongate members includes at least one frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said elongate members comprises two frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A shield according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said elongate members comprises two frames, there being further provided means for selectively locking each of said elongate members to at least one of said frames, and ram means for shifting one or more of said elongate members to effect relative displacement between said frames.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
A shield according to claim 1, said shield including a group comprising a plurality of said elongate members, each said elongate member in said group having a main body and a further component and a selective displacing means, said group of elongate members being located at least partially adjacent to the floor of the tunnel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
166 words
A shield according to claim 21, wherein said main body of each of said elongate members of said group has a rearward end portion having side walls and a top wall defining an inverted substantially U-shaped cross-section, said side walls tapering to decrease their vertical dimension towards the rearward end of said elongate member, wherein said further component of each of said elongate members of said group has side walls and a bottom wall defining a substantially U-shaped cross-section, said side walls tapering to decrease their vertical dimension towards the rearward end of said elongate member, wherein said main portion top wall faces said further component bottom wall, wherein said further component is pivotally connected to said main body to pivot between an upper position wherein said further component is disposed substantially within said rearward end of said main body, and a lower position wherein said bottom wall of said further component is co-planar with said bottom wall of said second portion of said main body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
137 words
A shield according to claim 22, wherein said main body of each of said elongate members of said group has a forward end portion having side walls continuous with said side walls of said rearward end portion thereof, and having a bottom wall for contacting the tunnel wall, the tapered lower edges of said side walls of said rearward end portion of said main body of each of said elongate members of said group terminating in shoulders at their junction with said side walls of said forward end portion, the shoulders adjoining the rearward end of said bottom wall of said forward end portion and forming therewith a support surface about which said elongate member is tiltable in dependence on the operation of said selective displacing means to effect control of the direction of the tunnel advancement.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
A shield according to claim 19, wherein said selective shifting means comprises means for selectively locking each said elongate member to at least one of said frames, and means for relatively displacing said frames in the direction of tunnel advancement.
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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |