Pipe transport device and pipe joining method inside pipeline construction shaft

A pipe joining method inside a pipeline construction shaft, in which a first pipe is loaded on a first transport trolley of a pipe transport device including the first transport trolley and a second transport trolley that are capable of traveling on rails in the pipeline construction shaft, a second pipe being loaded on the second transport trolley coupled to the first transport trolley via a coupler, the first pipe and the second pipe being transported, the first pipe and the second pipe being sequentially joined to a rearmost pipe of a pipeline in the pipeline construction shaft, the method comprising:

• moving the first transport trolley with the loaded first pipe and the second transport trolley with the loaded second pipe forward and joining one end of the first pipe to the rearmost pipe;
• lifting the other end of the first pipe, moving the first transport trolley and the second transport trolley backward, and drawing the first transport trolley from beneath of the first pipe to a near side of the first pipe;
• removing the coupler to separate the first transport trolley and the second transport trolley;
• installing an auxiliary rail device that branches from the rails on the near side of the first pipe and extends into the second pipe loaded on the second transport trolley;
• moving the first transport trolley backward from the near side of the first pipe, causing the first transport trolley to travel on the auxiliary rail device from the rails, and transferring the first transport trolley into the second pipe;
• removing a tilted part that branches from the rails and protrudes forward from one end of the second pipe;
• and
• moving the second transport trolley forward and joining one end of the second pipe on the second transport trolley to the other end of the first pipe joined to the rearmost pipe.

A pipe transport device for transporting a pipe, comprising:

• a first transport trolley for transporting a first pipe, a second transport trolley for transporting a second pipe, and a coupling device for coupling the first transport trolley and the second transport trolley,
• wherein the coupling device has a coupler one end of which is attachable and detachable to and from the first transport trolley and the other end of which is attachable and detachable to and from the second transport trolley,
• wherein one end of the coupler includes an engaging member that is engageable and disengageable into and from one of the first transport trolley and the second transport trolley,
• wherein the engaging member is switchable between an engaged state for engagement with one of the transport trolleys and a disengaged state for disengagement from one of the transport trolleys,
• wherein the coupler includes a switching device for switching the engaging member from the engaged state to the disengaged state,
• wherein the switching device includes an operation part for operating the switching device from outside, and
• wherein the operation part is exposed to a space formed between the first pipe loaded on the first transport trolley and the second pipe loaded on the second transport trolley.