Patent ID: 6839988
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: E02D,E02F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for drilling trenches in the ground, said apparatus comprising a vertical main frame having two vertical main faces, a drilling assembly comprising a support disposed at the bottom of said frame, means for causing said drilling assembly to move in vertical translation relative to said main frame by applying a predetermined force to said drilling assembly relative to said main frame, and anchoring means for anchoring said main frame to the walls of said trench, said anchoring means comprising a plurality of inflatable elements, each inflatable element being secured to one of said main faces of the main frame, so that said inflatable elements are disposed between said main faces and the walls of the trench, means for injecting a fluid under pressure into said inflatable elements so that said inflatable elements apply a force between said main faces of said main frame and the walls of the trench, and means enabling said fluid under; pressure to escape from said inflatable elements whereby no force is transmitted between said main frame and the walls of the trench.