US4124082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for cutting a tunnel in plastic soil
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-10
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Granted: 1978-11-07
•
Expires: 1997-06-10
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed method of cutting a tunnel in plastic soil uses a pipe and a cutting head mounted on one end of the pipe. The inner diameter of the cutting head is less than the inner diameter of the pipe, and the outer diameter of the cutting head is greater than the outer diameter of the pipe. The method comprises the steps of (1) driving the pipe into plastic soil, cutting head first; (2) providing a lubricating flow of water on both the outside and the inside of the pipe adjacent to the cutting head; (3) withdrawing the pipe from the plastic soil in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted; (4) raising the pipe and swinging to dumping area; and (5) suspending the pipe in the air with the cutting head uppermost in order to allow the soil within the pipe to slide out.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis M. Garver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/003; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/96; E02F3/963
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of cutting a tunnel in plastic soil using an apparatus comprising a pipe and cutting means mounted on one end of said pipe, said method comprising the steps of: (a) driving said pipe into plastic soil, cutting means first; (b) withdrawing said pipe from the plastic soil in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted; and then (c) suspending said pipe in the air with the cutting means uppermost to allow the soil within said pipe to slide out.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of cutting a tunnel in plastic soil using an apparatus comprising a pipe and cutting means mounted on one end of said pipe, said method comprising the steps of: (a) driving said pipe into plastic soil, cutting means first; (b) withdrawing said pipe from the plastic soil in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted; and then (c) suspending said pipe in the air with the cutting means uppermost to allow the soil within said pipe to slide out.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein is further provided the step of supplying a lubricating flow of water to the rear of the working face of said cutting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said pipe is moved to a dumping location by suspending the same from approximately the center of gravity of said pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for cutting a tunnel in plastic soil, said apparatus comprising: (a) a pipe; (b) cutting means mounted on one end of said pipe; (c) means for driving said pipe into plastic soil, cutting means first; (d) means for withdrawing said pipe from the plastic soil in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted; and (e) means coupled to said pipe adjacent to said cutting means for suspending said pipe in the air with the cutting means uppermost in order to allow the soild within said pipe to slide out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for cutting a tunnel in plastic soil, said apparatus comprising: (a) a pipe; (b) cutting means mounted on one end of said pipe; (c) means for driving said pipe into plastic soil, cutting means first; (d) means for withdrawing said pipe from the plastic soil in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted; and (e) means coupled to said pipe adjacent to said cutting means for suspending said pipe in the air with the cutting means uppermost in order to allow the soild within said pipe to slide out.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said cutting means comprises a head removably mounted on said pipe having an inner diameter which is less than the inner diameter of said pipe and an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of said pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the working face of said cutting head is beveled outwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 and further comprising means for connecting said pipe to a further pipe in axial alignment therewith in order to drive said pipe into the plastic soil by a distance exceeding the length of said pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 and further comprising an anti-friction ring mounted on the end of said pipe remote from said cutting head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the outer diameter of said anti-friction ring is at least approximately equal to the outer diameter of said cutting head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 and further comprising means for providing a lubricating flow of water on both the outside and the inside of said pipe adjacent to said cutting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |