Underground pipe inspection device and method
First Claim
1. A method for inspecting an underground pipe from the inside of said underground pipe comprising the steps of:
- inserting an inspection apparatus comprising a circular planar platform having a plurality of lever arms having one end pivotably attached to one side of said platform and having a pipe inspection means connected to an opposite end and having pivot means for pivoting said lever arms into said underground pipe, said inspection apparatus oriented with said planar platform disposed perpendicular to a pipe axis;
pivoting said plurality of lever arms toward an inside wall of said pipe;
contacting said inside wall of said pipe with each said inspection means; and
conveying said apparatus axially along said inside of said underground pipe and maintaining contact between each said inspection means and said inside wall.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for inspecting the walls of an underground pipe from inside the pipe in which an inspection apparatus having a circular planar platform having a plurality of lever arms having one end pivotably attached to one side of the platform, having a pipe inspection device connected to an opposite end, and having a system for pivoting the lever arms is inserted into the underground pipe, with the inspection apparatus oriented with the planar platform disposed perpendicular to the pipe axis. The plurality of lever arms are pivoted toward the inside wall of the pipe, contacting the inside wall with each inspection device as the apparatus is conveyed along a length of the underground pipe.
41 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for inspecting an underground pipe from the inside of said underground pipe comprising the steps of:
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inserting an inspection apparatus comprising a circular planar platform having a plurality of lever arms having one end pivotably attached to one side of said platform and having a pipe inspection means connected to an opposite end and having pivot means for pivoting said lever arms into said underground pipe, said inspection apparatus oriented with said planar platform disposed perpendicular to a pipe axis; pivoting said plurality of lever arms toward an inside wall of said pipe; contacting said inside wall of said pipe with each said inspection means; and conveying said apparatus axially along said inside of said underground pipe and maintaining contact between each said inspection means and said inside wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for underground pipe inspection comprising:
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a first circular planar platform having a first planar side and an opposite second planar side; a plurality of lever arms disposed on said first planar side having a pivotable end pivotably connected with said first planar platform and an inspection end, said lever arms pivotable in a direction substantially parallel to said first planar side; at least one pipe inspection means for inspecting an inside of said pipe connected with said inspection end; and pivot means for pivoting said lever arms. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification