US4034679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated pipeline crawler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-19
•
Granted: 1977-07-12
•
Expires: 1996-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A powered pipeline crawler comprising a personnel carrier having an outer configuration complementary to the inner cross-sectional configuration of a pipeline and provided with suitable wheels for longitudinal movement through a pipeline. In addition, power means is provided for the carrier for propelling the device through the pipeline upon the control of the personnel being carried thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 Teddy W. Gaither
- 👤 James E. Ford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:25
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A powered pipeline crawler comprising support frame means having upper elongated elements defining a substantially flat plane and lower transverse elements of an arcuate configuration complementary to the cross sectional configuration of the pipeline, personnel carrier means carried by the support frame means and being of an arcuate cross sectional configuration whereby the support frame means surrounds a portion of the personnel disposed on said personnel carrier means, driving wheel means journalled on the support frame means, power means operably connected with the driving wheel means for transmitting rotation thereto, steering wheel means journalled on the support frame means for steering the crawler during longitudinal movement thereof through the pipeline, wherein said steering wheel means comprises a frame assembly pivotally secured to the support frame means, a steering wheel member journalled on said frame assembly and movable simultaneously therewith, and handle means carried by said frame assembly for facilitating manual pivoting of said frame assembly to control the position of said steering wheel member for steering of the crawler and wherein said frame assembly comprises a first pair of spaced mutually parallel arm members, a second pair of spaced mutually parallel arm members having the opposite ends pivotally secured to the opposite ends of said first pair of arm members, and means for pivotally securing one pair of said spaced members to said support frame assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A powered pipeline crawler comprising support frame means having upper elongated elements defining a substantially flat plane and lower transverse elements of an arcuate configuration complementary to the cross sectional configuration of the pipeline, personnel carrier means carried by the support frame means and being of an arcuate cross sectional configuration whereby the support frame means surrounds a portion of the personnel disposed on said personnel carrier means, driving wheel means journalled on the support frame means, power means operably connected with the driving wheel means for transmitting rotation thereto, steering wheel means journalled on the support frame means for steering the crawler during longitudinal movement thereof through the pipeline, wherein said steering wheel means comprises a frame assembly pivotally secured to the support frame means, a steering wheel member journalled on said frame assembly and movable simultaneously therewith, and handle means carried by said frame assembly for facilitating manual pivoting of said frame assembly to control the position of said steering wheel member for steering of the crawler and wherein said frame assembly comprises a first pair of spaced mutually parallel arm members, a second pair of spaced mutually parallel arm members having the opposite ends pivotally secured to the opposite ends of said first pair of arm members, and means for pivotally securing one pair of said spaced members to said support frame assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A powered pipeline crawler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power means comprises battery means carried by the support frame means, high torque electric motor means carried by the support frame means, drive means operably connected between the motor means and the driving wheel means for transmitting rotation to the driving wheel means for moving the crawler longitudinally through the pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A powered pipeline crawler as set forth in claim 2 wherein the motor means includes a forward solenoid and a reverse solenoid to provide selective forward and reverse directions of movement for the crawler through the pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A powered pipeline crawler as set forth in claim 3 and including switch means electrically connected between the battery means and the motor means for selective energization of the forward and reverse solenoids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A powered pipeline crawler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the steering wheel means comprises a frame assembly mounted on the support frame means, a steering wheel journalled on the frame assembly, and said frame assembly is of substantially rectangular configuration having each corner thereof pivotal and having the front center and rear center thereof secured pivotally to the support frame means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A powered pipeline crawler as set forth in claim 1 and including outrigger wheel means journalled on the support frame means for engagement with the inner periphery of the pipeline for stabilization of the crawler during movement thereof through the pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
A powered pipeline crawler comprising support frame means, personnel carrier means carried by the support frame means, driving wheel means journalled on the support frame means, power means operably connected with the driving wheel means for transmitting rotation thereto, steering wheel means journalled on the support frame means for steering the crawler during longitudinal movement thereof through the pipeline, and wherein the outer periphery of the support frame means is of an arcuate configuration complementary to the cross sectional configuration of the inner periphery of the pipeline, and wherein the steering wheel means comprises substantially rectangular frame means having the corners thereof pivotal and the center front and rear thereof pivotally secured to the support frame means, and a steering wheel journalled on said frame means and movable therewith for steering of the crawler.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
A powered pipeline crawler comprising support frame means, personnel carrier means carried by the support frame means, driving wheel means journalled on the support frame means, power means operably connected with the driving wheel means for transmitting rotation thereto, steering wheel means journalled on the support frame means for steering the crawler during longitudinal movement thereof through the pipeline, and wherein the outer periphery of the support frame means is of an arcuate configuration complementary to the cross sectional configuration of the inner periphery of the pipeline, and wherein the steering wheel means comprises substantially rectangular frame means having the corners thereof pivotal and the center front and rear thereof pivotally secured to the support frame means, and a steering wheel journalled on said frame means and movable therewith for steering of the crawler.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-11 | 1981-01-10 | 1981-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-01-10 | 1985-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-11 | 1989-01-10 | 1989-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |