A pipe-securing clamp device is provided comprised of a body with a first end and a second end, an opening, and a ratcheting mechanism. During use, a ratchet strap can be placed through the second opening into the body, ran through an opening of the body to the outside of the body, and attached to the ratcheting mechanism. During use, the strap may be attached to any structure of any pipe, pipe positioning or controlling tool and/or boring tool known in the art (including but not limited to a boring missile), wherein the strap can then be attached to the mechanism can tighten to ensure that a pipe (placed through the body) is tight and secure to the back of a boring missile. As a result, the device allows for the pipe to be pulled with the boring tool and ensures a successful bore for each application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of directional boring. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pipe-securing clamp device that allows a user to secure a pipe in place while directional boring. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

While directional boring, pipes are used for creating stable channels in the ground. Said pipes must be precisely positioned and often held in place for extended periods. However, holding cumbersome and heavy pipes in place with pneumatic tools during boring operations presents a significant challenge that is both difficult and hazardous.

More specifically, one of the most prevalent risks in this process involves sustaining hand injuries, which are frequently a result of the traditional practice of using metal ropes to secure the pipes. These metal ropes, while intended to provide a firm grip and stability, can be unpredictable and unwieldy, leading to accidents. The method of manually securing pipes with metal ropes not only poses significant safety concerns but also tends to be time-consuming and inefficient. The manual handling of these heavy pipes and the process of securing them with ropes requires considerable effort and attention to detail, increasing the likelihood of human error and accidents, thereby reducing overall work efficiency.

Furthermore, the process of setting up and maintaining this method of pipe stabilization involves several intricate steps, which can significantly slow down the workflow. Each pipe must be aligned correctly, secured firmly, and constantly monitored to ensure safety and effectiveness. This labor-intensive process often leads to delays in project completion, impacting deadlines and potentially increasing labor costs. Additionally, the physical strain on workers handling these heavy pipes can lead to fatigue, further compromising safety and efficiency.

Moreover, in the context of boring operations, the precision and stability of these pipes are critical. Any misalignment or instability can result in inaccurate drilling, potential damage to the equipment, or even catastrophic failures that could have severe environmental and safety implications. Therefore, finding more efficient, safe, and reliable methods for holding and securing these pipes is of paramount importance in the boring industry, not only to improve the safety and well-being of the workers but also to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the boring operations.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that can be used during directional boring operations. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a pipe-securing clamp device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a pipe-securing clamp device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a pipe-securing clamp device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool without the need to use metal ropes or other potentially dangerous securing methods.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pipe-securing clamp device. The device is comprised of a body with a first end and a second end, an opening, and a ratcheting mechanism. During use, a ratchet strap can be placed through the second opening into the body, run through an opening of the body to the outside of the body, and attached to the ratcheting mechanism. During use, the strap may be attached to any structure of any pipe, pipe positioning or controlling tool and/or boring tool known in the art (including but not limited to a boring missile), wherein the strap can then be attached to the mechanism can tighten to ensure that a pipe (placed through the body) is tight and secure to the back of a boring missile. As a result, the device allows for the pipe to be pulled with the boring tool and ensures a successful bore for each application.

In this manner, the pipe-securing clamp device of the present invention accomplishes all the forgoing objectives and provides a device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool. Further, the device does so without the need to use metal ropes or other potentially dangerous securing methods.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pipe-securing clamp device comprised of a body having a first end and a second end. Both ends are comprised of at least one opening that extends through the body. The second end may be comprised of at least one fastener, such as but not limited to male or female threads that allow the device to attach to a pipe positioning or controlling boring tool known in the art. The openings also allow a piping, tubing, or other similar structure to be fed through the body during directional boring, wherein the device can be used to hold a pipe in place before the pipe is bored with a pneumatic piercing tool.

The body is also comprised of at least one rachet assembly fixedly attached to the body. The assembly is comprised of at least one ratcheting mechanism. The body is also comprised of at least one opening that allows at least one ratchet strap to be placed through the opening into the body, run through the opening to the outside of the body, and attached to the ratcheting mechanism.

During use, the strap may be attached to any structure of any pipe, pipe positioning or controlling tool and/or boring tool known in the art (including but not limited to a boring missile), wherein the strap can then be attached to the mechanism can tighten to ensure that a pipe (placed through the body) is tight and secure to the back of a boring missile. As a result, the device allows for the pipe to be pulled with the boring tool and ensures a successful bore for each application.

Accordingly, the pipe-securing clamp device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool. Further, the device does so without the need to use metal ropes or other potentially dangerous securing methods. In this manner, the pipe-securing clamp device overcomes the limitations of existing devices and methods used to stabilize pipe while directional boring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that can be used during directional boring operations. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a pipe-securing clamp device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a pipe-securing clamp device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a pipe-securing clamp device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool without the need to use metal ropes or other potentially dangerous securing methods.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a pipe-securing clamp device. The device is comprised of a body having a first end and a second end, wherein both ends are comprised of at least one opening that extends through the body. The second end may be comprised of at least one fastener, such as but not limited to male or female threads. This allows the device to attach to a pipe positioning or controlling boring tool known in the art. The openings also allow a piping, tubing, or other similar structure to be fed through the body during directional boring, wherein the device can be used to hold a pipe in place before the pipe is bored with a pneumatic piercing tool.

The body is also comprised of at least one rachet assembly fixedly attached to the body. The assembly is comprised of at least one ratcheting mechanism. The body is also comprised of at least one opening that allows at least one ratchet strap to be placed through the opening into the body, run through the opening to the outside of the body, and attached to the ratcheting mechanism.

During use, the strap may be attached to any structure of any pipe, pipe positioning or controlling tool and/or boring tool known in the art (including but not limited to a boring missile), wherein the strap can then be attached to the mechanism can tighten to ensure that a pipe (placed through the body) is tight and secure to the back of a boring missile. As a result, the device allows for the pipe to be pulled with the boring tool and ensures a successful bore for each application.

Accordingly, the pipe-securing clamp device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that can be used during directional boring operations to secure a pipe in place for piercing via a pneumatic piercing tool. Further, the device does so without the need to use metal ropes or other potentially dangerous securing methods. In this manner, the pipe-securing clamp device overcomes the limitations of existing devices and methods used to stabilize pipe while directional boring.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a pipe-securing clamp device100of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100is comprised of a body110. The body110is comprised of a metal material of any type. The body110is preferably cylindrical, but may be any shape.

The body110is comprised of a first end120and a second end130. Both ends120,130are comprised of at least one opening122,132that extends through the body110. The second end130may be comprised of at least one fastener134, such as but not limited to male or female threads. The fastener134allows the device100to attach to a pipe positioning or controlling boring tool known in the art. In one embodiment, the threads are tapered to allow the second end130to attach to pipes of various lengths. The openings122,132also allow a piping, tubing, or other similar structure to be fed through the body110during directional boring, wherein the device100can be used to hold a pipe in place before the pipe is bored with a pneumatic piercing tool.

The body110is also comprised of at least one rachet assembly140. The assembly140is fixedly attached to the body110. The assembly140is comprised of at least one ratcheting mechanism144of any type. The assembly140is also comprised of at least one handle142. The handle142can be grabbed by a user to allow the user to tighten the ratcheting mechanism144by manipulating the ratcheting mechanism144. The mechanism144can be released by at least one release lever146.

The body110is also comprised of at least one opening112. The opening112allows at least one ratchet strap150to be placed through the opening132into the body110, ran through the opening112to the outside of the body110, and attached to the ratcheting mechanism144. The strap150may be any type of ratcheting strap in different embodiments. In one embodiment, the strap150is a metal rope. During use, the strap150may be attached to any structure of any pipe, pipe positioning or controlling tool and/or boring tool known in the art (including but not limited to a boring missile), wherein the strap150can then be attached to the mechanism144can tighten to ensure that a pipe (placed through the body110) is tight and secure to the back of a boring missile. As a result, the device100allows for the pipe to be pulled with the boring tool and ensures a successful bore for each application.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “pipe-securing clamp device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the pipe-securing clamp device100of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the pipe-securing clamp device100of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the pipe-securing clamp device100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the pipe-securing clamp device100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the pipe-securing clamp device100are important design parameters for user convenience, the pipe-securing clamp device100may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.