Patent ID: 6189244
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
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; andl) 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.