Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
For use in combination with a raise boring head having a drive stem coupled to an earth cutter mounting platform, cutter mounting extension apparatus for extending the effective cutting radius of the raise boring head, comprising: a raise boring head radius extension element; said extension element having means for replaceably mounting and supporting earth cutters thereon; means, having a radial center, for immovably engaging a portion of said raise boring head drive stem; means for replaceably fastening said extension element to said earth cutter mounting platform of said raise boring head; and strut means replaceably fastening said extension element immovably to said drive stem engaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
For use in combination with a raise boring head having a drive stem coupled to an earth cutter mounting platform, cutter mounting extension apparatus for extending the effective cutting radius of the raise boring head, comprising: a raise boring head radius extension element; said extension element having means for replaceably mounting and supporting earth cutters thereon; means, having a radial center, for immovably engaging a portion of said raise boring head drive stem; means for replaceably fastening said extension element to said earth cutter mounting platform of said raise boring head; and strut means replaceably fastening said extension element immovably to said drive stem engaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said drive stem engaging means comprises an annular structure; said strut means comprises a plurality of struts, each coupled at one end thereof to said annular structure, and coupled at the opposite end thereof to said extension element; wherein one of said struts of said plurality thereof extends perpendicularly from said extension element, and another of said struts extends diagonally from said extension element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein: said one ends of said one and another struts are coupled to said annular structure in a relatively near adjacency to each other; and said opposite ends of said one and another struts are coupled to said extension element in a relatively spaced-apart disposition defining, therebetween, and lengthwise of said struts, a converging/diverging relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein: said annular structure has means integral therewith for replaceably coupling thereto said one ends of said struts of said plurality thereof; said coupling means comprises a plurality of mounting bosses; said bosses having generally U-shaped recesses formed therein in which to receive said one ends of said struts; and said recesses have their U-shaped open ends directed tangentially of said annular structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said drive stem engaging means comprises a hub; said hub, having a central bore within which couplingly to receive said drive stem, said hub further having a circumferential, circular plate joined thereto; said strut means comprises a plurality of struts, each coupled at one end thereof to said plate, and coupled at the opposite end thereof to said extension element; and said struts extend from said plate tangentially thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein: all struts of said plurality thereof are of common length and, whereat said struts are coupled to said extension element and said plate, have common mounting distances between said one and opposite ends thereof; and said opposite ends of said struts are substantially a common distance from said plate, whereas said one ends of said struts are at markedly diverse distances from said extension element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said extension element comprises a body having opposite terminal sides; one of said sides, having a given length, defines a radially innermost side thereof and the other of said sides define a radially outermost side thereof; a plane drawn perpendicular to said one side of said body, from a mid-point along the length thereof, bisects said radial center of said drive stem engaging means; and said strut means is fastened to said drive stem engaging means only to one side of said plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus, according to claim 7, further including: means replaceably coupled to said body, at opposite ends thereof, tying said body securely against displacement thereof relative to said drive stem engaging means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein: said tying means comprises a plurality of raise boring head radius extension elements, means coupling said plurality of extension elements to said drive stem engaging means, and tie bars; and each of said tie bars is coupled at one end thereof to said body and at the end opposite thereof to an extension element of said plurality thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said extension element comprises a body; said body having means for replaceably attaching thereto a second raise boring head radius extension element; and said attaching means comprises means defining a bearing surface for receiving a second extension element in abutting relationship therewith, and means for replaceably fastening a second extension element thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein: said bearing surface has a portion which extends pendantly from said body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said strut means comprises means for reacting torsional forces impressed on said radius extension element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein: said strut means comprises means for reacting thrust forces impressed on said radius extension element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
In combination with a rotatable raise boring head having an axial drive stem and an earth cutter mounting platform coupled thereto, cutter mounting extension apparatus extending the effective cutting radius of the raise boring head, comprising: a raise boring head radius extension body; said body having means for replaceably mounting and supporting earth cutters thereon; means engaging a portion of said drive stem for rotation in common therewith; and means replaceably fastening said body to said boring head; wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of elongate struts each coupled at one end thereof to said body and coupled at the opposite end thereof to said boring head; one of said struts of said plurality thereof extends perpendicularly from said body; and another of said struts extends diagonally from said body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
In combination with a rotatable raise boring head having an axial drive stem and an earth cutter mounting platform coupled thereto, cutter mounting extension apparatus extending the effective cutting radius of the raise boring head, comprising: a raise boring head radius extension body; said body having means for replaceably mounting and supporting earth cutters thereon; means engaging a portion of said drive stem for rotation in common therewith; and means replaceably fastening said body to said boring head; wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of elongate struts each coupled at one end thereof to said body and coupled at the opposite end thereof to said boring head; one of said struts of said plurality thereof extends perpendicularly from said body; and another of said struts extends diagonally from said body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination, according to claim 14, wherein: said body has a radially innermost side, said side having a given length; a plane drawn perpendicularly from said side, from the mid-point thereof along the length thereof, bisects said drive stem; said one ends of said struts are coupled to said body on opposite sides of said plane; and said opposite ends of said struts are coupled to said body on only one side of said plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination, according to claim 15, further including: means replaceably coupled to said body, at opposite ends thereof, tying said body securely against displacement thereof relative to said drive stem; wherein said tying means comprises a plurality of raise boring head radius extension bodies, means coupling said plurality of bodies to said raise boring head, and tie bars; and each of said tie bars is coupled at one end thereof to said body and at the other end thereof to one of said bodies of said plurality thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination, according to claim 14, further including: means replaceably coupled to said body tying said body securely against displacement thereof relative to said drive stem.