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US 4,010,616 AGranted
Rib expander
OwnerRichard Lovatinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rib expander, for use with tunnelling apparatus, in which a plurality of arcuate segmental members form a ring, at least two of the members being separable longitudinally to expand the ring. The ring is mounted to provide pivotal movement about a vertical circumferential axis of the ring as well as transverse movement in the plane of the ring and movement along the normal axis of the ring.
Claims9
A rib expander, for use with tunnelling apparatus where the tunnel being driven is curved, comprising:
- a plurality of elongated arcuate segmental members forming a sectioned ring;
- means to separate at least two of the members longitudinally one from another along the circumferential axis of the ring whereby the ring is radially expandable;
- means for horizontally translating the ring normal to the plane thereof;
- and
- means carried by the horizontal translating means to support the ring in a vertical plane thereon, said support means being constructed and arranged whereby the ring is (a) movable on the horizontal translating means transversely in the plane of the ring and (b) movable pivotally about a vertical circumferential axis thereof.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.