Self-cleaning narrow ditch trencher and flexible tile installer
First Claim
1. A trenching apparatus for trenching a narrow trench in the earth and continuous laying of flexible tubing in said trench, and refilling said trench with removed earth material, said apparatus comprising:
- a) an elongated carriage frame having drawbar means at a first end adapted to be connected to a pulling vehicle and wheel means at a second end to enable horizontal travel of said carriage frame over a groundplane;
b) a first vertically-oriented frame assembly pivotally attached to said second end of said carriage frame for relative rotation therewith about a first pivotal axis;
c) a second vertically oriented frame assembly longitudinally movably nested within said first vertically-oriented frame;
d) a grade setting and hoisting hydraulic cylinder connected to said first vertically oriented frame assembly, having a piston connected to said second vertically-oriented frame assembly, and adapted when actuated to move said second vertically-oriented frame assembly longitudinally with respect to said first vertically-oriented frame assembly;
e) a pair of spaced apart, horizontal elongated beams pivotally supported at first ends thereof by said second vertically-oriented frame assembly and having second ends;
f) a drive sprocket supported by said horizontal beams, said drive sprocket having a diameter;
g) a driven sprocket support beam vertically oriented and adjustably connected to and supported by said horizontal beams;
h) a driven sprocket rotatably connected to one end of said driven sprocket support beam, said driven sprocket having high inertia and a diameter larger than said drive sprocket diameter;
i) a continuous chain connecting said sprockets, said chain having attached thereto a plurality of earth cutters;
j) means for driving said drive sprocket to thereby cause movement of said chain and cutters, and rotation of said driven sprocket;
k) a vertically-oriented tubular member having a top end for receiving flexible tubing and being supported by said horizontal beams at said second ends thereof; and
l) crumber means attached to a bottom end of said vertically-oriented tubular member for placing flexable tubing in said trench and including outlet means through which said flexible tubing may travel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A narrow-trench earth trencher and flexible tube installer, including a relatively large diameter narrow driven sprocket connected by a chain with attached earth cutters to a relatively small drive sprocket. The trencher includes a carriage frame adapted to be connected to a pulling vehicle, with wheels at one end to facilitate horizontal travel. Mounted on the carriage frame are first and second vertically-oriented trencher frame assemblies. The trencher also includes a vertically-oriented tubular member and a crumber for helping place the flexible tubing in the trench.
59 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A trenching apparatus for trenching a narrow trench in the earth and continuous laying of flexible tubing in said trench, and refilling said trench with removed earth material, said apparatus comprising:
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a) an elongated carriage frame having drawbar means at a first end adapted to be connected to a pulling vehicle and wheel means at a second end to enable horizontal travel of said carriage frame over a groundplane;
b) a first vertically-oriented frame assembly pivotally attached to said second end of said carriage frame for relative rotation therewith about a first pivotal axis;
c) a second vertically oriented frame assembly longitudinally movably nested within said first vertically-oriented frame;
d) a grade setting and hoisting hydraulic cylinder connected to said first vertically oriented frame assembly, having a piston connected to said second vertically-oriented frame assembly, and adapted when actuated to move said second vertically-oriented frame assembly longitudinally with respect to said first vertically-oriented frame assembly;
e) a pair of spaced apart, horizontal elongated beams pivotally supported at first ends thereof by said second vertically-oriented frame assembly and having second ends;
f) a drive sprocket supported by said horizontal beams, said drive sprocket having a diameter;
g) a driven sprocket support beam vertically oriented and adjustably connected to and supported by said horizontal beams;
h) a driven sprocket rotatably connected to one end of said driven sprocket support beam, said driven sprocket having high inertia and a diameter larger than said drive sprocket diameter;
i) a continuous chain connecting said sprockets, said chain having attached thereto a plurality of earth cutters;
j) means for driving said drive sprocket to thereby cause movement of said chain and cutters, and rotation of said driven sprocket;
k) a vertically-oriented tubular member having a top end for receiving flexible tubing and being supported by said horizontal beams at said second ends thereof; and
l) crumber means attached to a bottom end of said vertically-oriented tubular member for placing flexable tubing in said trench and including outlet means through which said flexible tubing may travel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A trenching apparatus for trenching a narrow trench in the earth and continuous laying of flexible tubing in said trench, said apparatus comprising:
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a) an elongated carriage frame having drawbar means at a first end adapted to be connected to a pulling vehicle and wheel means at a second end to enable horizontal travel of said carriage flame;
b) a first vertically-oriented frame assembly attached to said second end of said carriage frame;
c) a second vertically oriented frame assembly movably attached to said first vertically-oriented frame;
d) grade setting and hoisting hydraulic cylinder means connected to said first and second vertically oriented frame assemblies, and adapted when actuated to move said second vertically-oriented frame assembly longitudinally with respect to said first vertically-oriented frame assembly;
e) a pair of spaced apart, horizontal elongated beams supported at first ends thereof by said second vertically-oriented frame assembly and having second ends;
f) a drive sprocket support by said horizontal beams, said drive sprocket having a diameter;
g) a generally vertically-oriented driven sprocket support beam connected to and supported by said horizontal beams;
h) a driven sprocket rotatably connected to one end of said driven sprocket support beam, said driven sprocket having a diameter larger than said drive sprocket diameter;
i) a continuous chain connecting and engaging said sprockets, said chain having attached thereto a plurality of earth cutters;
j) means for driving said drive sprocket to thereby cause movement of said chain and cutters, and rotation of said driven sprocket;
k) a vertically-oriented tubular member having a top open end for receiving flexible tubing and being supported by said horizontal beams at said second ends thereof; and
l) crumber means attached to a bottom end of said vertically-oriented tubular member for placing flexible tubing in said trench and including outlet means through which said flexible tubing may exit said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification