# US 4,400,108 A · Mobile reinforced concrete pipe machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,400,108 A - Document ID: US4400108A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/334,969 - Filed: 1981-12-28 - Granted: 1983-08-23 - Earliest claimed: 1981-12-28 - Inventors: Victor L. Freeman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4400108A ## CPC - F16L 1/038: the pipes being made in situ - E04G 11/34: Horizontally-travelling moulds for making walls blockwise or section-wise (E04G11/26 takes precedence) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - E04G: SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS ## Abstract A mobile reinforced pipe machine for producing and laying concrete pipe on site in a ditch or the like. The machine comprises a frame structure capable of supporting the machine for movement along a ditch; hydraulically positionable outrigger wheels carried by the frame for machine guidance along the ditch; a pair of rotating nested sleeves with compactor vibrators therebetween which receive solidifiable cementitious material, such as concrete, vibrate the entering mixture to assure uniformity of mix; longitudinal and circumferential reinforcing wire fed between the sleeves for embedding within the solidifiable cementitious material for reinforcing the solidified pipe leaving the machine; plates or slip forms are attached to the frame adjacent the sleeves for receiving and supporting partially solidified pipe as it exits the machine as the machine moves forward; motor and transmission to transport the machine along the ditch and rotate the sleeves. Earth compactors are provided to force backfill under the newly-formed pipe for support. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An on site pipe forming and laying machine comprising: a frame member movable along a pre-formed ditch; a guide means contacting the side walls of said ditch carried by said frame member for lateral support and guiding of said machine along said ditch; a pair of nested rotatable sleeves disposed on said frame; supply means for supplying uncured solidifiable cementitious material between said sleeves at a selected location; reinforcing wire supply means for supplying longitudinal and circumferential reinforcing wire within said solidifiable cementitious material; slip form means carried by said frame, rearward of said sleeves and substantially centered along the bottom of said ditch; and means for moving said machine along said ditch and rotating said sleeves, whereby wire reinforced concrete pipe is formed between said sleeves and as said machine moves along said ditch newly-formed pipe exits said sleeves and is temporarily supported by said slip form means while initially curing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame member is constructed of material suitable for supporting the weight of said machine and said uncured concrete. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises; a scraper for preparing the bottom surface of said ditch for machine movement; a pair of separately selectively translatable linear actuators; and a pair of wheels, one attached to the distal end of the translatable portion of each linear actuator, whereby said translatable linear actuators are translated so that each wheel rides along its adjacent ditch wall for maintaining said machine in its operable position as it moves along said ditch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said linear actuators are pneumatically operated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeves have a spiral opening therebetween with a leading and trailing outer edge and said solidifiable cementitious material is deposited therebetween said circumferential reinforcing wire is introduced at the leading edge thereof and both said solidifiable cementitious material and circumferential reinforcing wire exit the trailing edge thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein a space is provided between said sleeves to allow the longitudinal reinforcing wires to pass therebetween as the machine moves along said ditch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said solidifiable cementitious material supply means comprises; a conduit leading from a source of solidifiable cementitious material; a rotatable tube attached to said conduit through a sealed slip joint; and a placement head attached to said rotatable tube and rotatable therewith. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said rotatable tube and placement head are different and their cross-sectional areas are substantially equal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the supply means for said longitudinal reinforcing wire is forward of said machine and is spacedly guided between said sleeves. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for supplying said circumferential reinforcing wire comprises a drum which rotates with said sleeves wherein the wire, in plural spaced-apart strands, is fed into a spiral opening between said sleeves through said solidifiable cementitious material supply means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for moving said machine along said ditch and rotating said sleeves comprises a motor-driven transmission interconnected to said sleeves and rotatable traction means positioned between said machine and its supporting surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of spaced apart vibrator means positioned between said sleeves adjacent to said selected location of said solidifiable cementitious material for compacting said material and lubricating sleeve movement with respect to said uncured concrete. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising compactor means for compacting the bottom of said ditch to provide immediate support for said pipe as it exits said machine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising a housing around said machine for operation within a vertical bore to prevent foreign matter from contact with the working mechanism of said machine.