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US 2007/0177945 A1Published application
Automated pipe-laying method and apparatus
OwnerPhilip Paullinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trench box, including a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls defining a work volume, distal and proximal support members extending between the sidewalls, and a track positioned between the sidewalls. Track adjusting members extend between the track and the support members and a movable tram connecting plate is connected to the track. An actuator is coupled to the track and energizable to move the tram connecting plate and a tool module is operationally connectable to the tram connecting plate. A pipe dispensing assembly and a gravel hopper assembly are positionable within the working volume.
Claims27
A trench box assembly, comprising in combination:
- a trench box, further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls defining a work volume therebetween;
- a pair of spaced support members extending between the sidewalls;
- a drag bar operationally connected to the trench box;
- and
- a top rim operationally connected to the sidewalls;
- a pipe dispensing assembly positionable within the work volume and further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated support members defining a pipe storage volume therebetween;
- at least one end member extending between the support members;
- a first top rim engaging member extending from a support member for coupling the pipe dispensing assembly to the trench box;
- a top member pivotably coupled to a support member;
- and
- a bottom member extending at least partially between the support members and defining a pipe dispensing aperture;
- a gravel hopper assembly positionable within the work volume and further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated side panels defining a gravel storage volume therebetween;
- at least one end panel extending between the side panels;
- a second top rim engaging member extending from a support member for coupling the pipe dispensing assembly to the trench box;
- a top panel pivotably coupled to a side panel;
- a bottom panel pivotably coupled to a side panel and sized to extend between the side panels;
- and
- an actuator operationally coupled to the bottom panel;
- wherein energization of the actuator pivots the panel between a first position and a second position;
- a service tram assembly positioned in the work volume and further comprising:
- a track positioned between the pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls;
- at least one track support member extending between the sidewalls;
- a plurality of spaced apart fluidic actuators extending between the track and the at least one track support member;
- a tram connecting plate operationally connected to the track and movable along the track;
- a tram actuator coupled to the track and energizable to move the tram connecting plate along the track;
- and
- a tool module operationally connectable to the tram connecting plate;
- wherein the fluidic actuators are energizable to adjust the position of the track.
28 more elements
A trench box device, comprising in combination:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls, each wall having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a work volume therebetween;
- a distal one support member extending between the sidewalls;
- a proximal one support member extending between the sidewalls;
- a track positioned between the pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls;
- a first track adjusting member extending between the track and the distal track support member;
- a second track adjusting member extending between the track and the distal track support member;
- a third track adjusting member extending between the track and the proximal track support member;
- a tram connecting plate operationally connected to the track and movable along the track;
- a tram actuator coupled to the track and energizable to move the tram connecting plate along the track;
- and
- a tool module operationally connectable to the tram connecting plate;
- wherein the track is positioned between the first and second track adjusting members;
- wherein the track adjusting member are energizable to level the track.
10 more elements
A modular trench box apparatus, comprising in combination:
- a trench box defining a work volume therein;
- a drag bar operationally connected to the trench box;
- and
- a top rim operationally connected to the trench box;
- a pipe dispensing module positionable within the work volume and further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated support members defining a pipe storage volume therebetween;
- at least one end member extending between the support members;
- a first top rim engaging member extending from a support member for coupling the pipe dispensing assembly to the trench box;
- and
- a bottom member extending at least partially between the support members and defining a pipe dispensing aperture;
- a gravel hopper module positionable within the work volume and further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated side panels defining a gravel storage volume therebetween;
- at least one end panel extending between the side panels;
- a second top rim engaging member extending from a support member for coupling the pipe dispensing assembly to the trench box;
- a bottom panel pivotably coupled to a side panel and sized to extend between the side panels;
- and
- an actuator operationally coupled to the bottom panel;
- wherein energization of the actuator pivots the panel between a first position and a second position.
15 more elements
A modular gravel hopper and pipe-dispenser assembly for use in a trench box apparatus, comprising in combination:
- a pipe dispensing module positionable within the trench box and further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated support members defining a pipe storage volume therebetween;
- at least one end member extending between the support members;
- a first top rim engaging member extending from a support member for coupling the pipe dispensing assembly to the trench box;
- and
- a bottom member extending at least partially between the support members and defining a pipe dispensing aperture;
- a gravel hopper module connected to the pipe-dispensing assembly and further comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated side panels defining a gravel storage volume therebetween;
- at least one end panel extending between the side panels;
- a second top rim engaging member extending from a support member for coupling the pipe dispensing assembly to the trench box;
- a bottom panel pivotably coupled to a side panel and sized to extend between the side panels;
- and
- an actuator operationally coupled to the bottom panel;
- wherein energization of the actuator pivots the panel between a first position and a second position.
11 more elements
A method of laying pipe in a trench, comprising:
- a) digging a trench segment;
- b) connecting track, hopper and pipe dispenser systems to a trench box;
- c) positioning the trench box in the trench segment;
- d) loading the hopper systems with stone;
- e) loading pipe dispenser systems with pipe segments;
- f) orienting the track at a predetermined slope;
- g) dropping stone into the trench;
- h) grading the stone;
- i) dropping a pipe segment into the trench;
- j) grappling the pipe segment;
- k) moving the pipe segment into desired joining position;
- l) joining the pipe segment;
- m) covering the joined pipe segment with stone;
- and
- n) advancing trench box into a newly dug trench segment.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.