US 4,981,396 A · Multiple pipe installation backfilling, and compaction attachment

Abstract

A multiple pipe chute installation for continually and progressively excavating a trench, laying flexible utility pipe a predetermined vertical distance apart, refining and refilling the soil around the laid pipes, and compacting the refilled soil is disclosed. The installation includes a trenching chain assembly pivotably mounted to the rear of a vehicle for excavating a trench. A multiple pipe chute assembly including a plurality of chutes is pivotably attached to a support frame extending from the trenching chain assembly. A support arm is pivotably attached to the support frame and extends rearwardly of the chute. A backfiller assembly is attached to the end of the support arm and a compacting rod is attached to the support arm adjacent the backfiller assembly. A hydraulic cylinder is attached between an extension of the support frame and the support arm. The chute assembly may be selectively linked to either the trenching chain assembly or the support arm. Therefore, the hydraulic cylinder may expand or contract to raise or lower either the support arm alone with respect to the chute assembly and trenching assembly, or both the support arm and the chute assembly with respect to the trenching chain assembly.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A multiple pipe installation device comprising:

trenching means for excavating a trench, said trenching means pivotably mounted on the rear of a vehicle;
a multiple pipe chute means including a plurality of chutes, said multiple pipe chute means disposed rearwardly of and pivotably linked with respect to said trenching means, said multiple pipe chute means for containing a plurality of flexible pipes in a spaced relationship such that each said chute contains one pipe, and for dispensing and laying said pipes at a predetermined vertical distance apart in said trench;
backfiller means for refining and refilling soil excavated by said trenching means into said trench;
compacting means for compacting said soil refilled into said trench by said backfiller means;
support arm means for supporting said backfiller means at one end thereof and said compacting means at an intermediate position of said support arm means;
raising and lowering means linking both said support arm means and said chute means with said trenching means, said raising and lowering means for raising or lowering said support arm means with respect to said trenching means and said chute means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple pipe installation backfilling, and compaction attachment

Life of this patent

Multiple pipe installation backfilling, and compaction attachment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24