Directional control mechanism for underground driven pipes and conduits

Claim 1

A mechanism for controlling the direction of movement of a pipe being driven underground generally along a horizontal path, and wherein a mechanical device is employed at the rear end of the pipe to forcibly drive the pipe along the path, said mechanism comprising: a pipe; an auger means mounted coaxially within the pipe for removing earth in the path of the movement of the pipe; a cylindrical head pivotally mounted to the forward end of the pipe, said cylindrical head being pivotable independently of said auger means; control means for inclining said cylindrical head with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, the movement of said cylindrical head being inclined independently with respect to said auger means; a second cylindrical head pivotally carried by the forward end of said first mentioned cylindrical head for pivotal movement in a direction transverse to the direction of pivotal movement of said first mentioned cylindrical head and independently of said first mentioned cylindrical head to control the direction and movement of said pipe independently of said first head; second control means carried by said second head and extendable rearwardly of said pipe; and means for moving said second control means axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe for controlling the amount of inclination of said second cylindrical head with respect to said pipe axis.