Patent ID: 9476536
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: F16L

Claim Text:
1. A pipe splitting assembly comprising: a pipe splitting cutter; an expander defining a generally cylindrical cable gripping recess; a pipe pulling assembly; a rotatable joint interposed between the pipe splitting cutter and pipe pulling assembly and being articulable to rotate the pipe splitting cutter into one or more angles relative to the pipe pulling assembly; the rotatable joint being configured to transmit axial forces from the pipe splitting cutter to the pipe pulling assembly in two or more angular configurations including: a cable coupling configured to receive a cable pulled in at least a first axial direction to move the cable coupling in the at least first axial direction against an inner expander surface of a cable gripping housing received within the cable gripping recess, wherein a joint nut is coupled to the expander to retain the cable gripping housing and the cable coupling within the cable gripping recess; wherein the inner expander surface being angled to radially compress the cable coupling around the cable as the cable coupling moves in the first axial direction such that continued pulling of the cable maintains cooperative engagement between the inner expander surface and the cable coupling locks the cable in place relative to the cable coupling.