Trench backfill device

• US 4,539,765 A
• Filed: 01/13/1984
• Issued: 09/10/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BP PLC
• Original Assignee: BP PLC
• Inventors: Reece, Alan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Application Number:
  US06/570,515
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 37/142.5, 405/179, 405/161, 405/164, 172/387, 172/393
• US Class Current: 37/142.5
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/102 operatively associated with mole-ploughs, coulters rippers E02F5/32
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/104 for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water floating substructures per se E02F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/106 using ploughs, coulters, rippers
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/223 for back-filling in association with trench excavators E02F5/12

Abstract

A device for backfilling a trench from spoil left alongside it comprises a forecarriage (7) and a main frame (10). The former comprises means (12) for positioning it centrally in the trench (3). The latter is located behind the former and carries one or more angled blades (9) and lateral stabilizers (18,19) adapted to contact the ground outside the spoil.

The device is towed rather than pushed and if a long tow-rope is used a pipeline can be trenched and the trench backfilled in a single traverse.

Claims

1. A device for back-filling a trench with spoil, the device comprising a forecarriage having pivotally mounted skids adapted to fit into the trench in contact with the walls thereof to locate the forecarriage centrally in the trench and a main frame located behind the forecarriage and connected thereto by a pivot means, the forecarriage comprising one or more pairs of rollers mounted on said skids and adapted to engage with a pipeline laid in the trench and thereby guide the device, the main frame carrying one or more angled blades and lateral stabilisers adapted to contact the ground outside the soil, the said stabilisers being adapted to provide a force which in the event that the said main frame tries to move to an angle to the line of the trench, will tend to restore the main frame so that it travels in the direction of the line of the trench.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein each lateral stabilizer is a skid fitted with a downwardly projecting fin.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the main frame carries two symmetrically mounted angled blades and lateral stabilisers.