Abstract:
A rod and pipe pushing device having opposed belt structures for engaging opposite sides of an elongated member that is to be pushed into an embedded pipe having a larger diameter than the elongated member. The device includes a pipe pushing apparatus pivotally mounted on a main support frame having an angle adjustment assembly that provides full angular adjustment capability to the pipe pushing apparatus. With such angular adjustment capability, an elongated member to be pushed by the pipe pushing apparatus can be readily aligned with an embedded pipe or bore hole of larger diameter for insertion therein. The elongated member may be provided with various cleaning and inspection tips enabling the rod and pipe pushing device, which is highly transportable, to be used effectively to clean and inspect a wide range of horizontally to vertically laid piping at various locations efficiently and cost-effectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to devices for pushing an elongated member such as a pipe, tube or rod into a bore hole of larger diameter pipe or tubing to perform various functions thereby and, more specifically, to such pushing device which can be angularly adjusted to push the elongated member at angles between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     There are a number of applications in which horizontally or generally horizontally running pipes are run over a distance for various purposes, generally being buried or embedded in the ground. For example, in some landfills, generally horizontal piping is embedded in the landfill area during the establishment thereof in order to provide a means of accessing a central cavity of the landfill, for effecting gas and/or liquid exchange with core areas, i.e., providing ventilation, etc. For the pipes to remain effective in performing these functions, free passage therethrough must be maintained and hence it is necessary to be able to inspect and/or clean the pipe bores. Similarly, vertically or generally vertically running pipes such as those used in well construction may also require inspection, cleaning, etc.  
         [0005]     Therefore, a need exists for a pipe and rod pushing device that can adapt to various pipe insertion angles to provide a range of pipe maintenance and inspection capabilities in a readily transportable and economic manner.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is to overcome the difficulties of cleaning and/or inspecting horizontally running pipes by providing a pipe and rod pushing device that is able to push a pipe or rod into horizontally laid piping of a larger diameter while the element being pushed is provided with a suitable cleaning or inspection tip.  
         [0007]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe and rod pushing device that has an adjustable insertion angle for ease of alignment with fixed piping laid at various angles ranging from horizontal to vertical orientations.  
         [0008]     A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable-angle pipe and rod pushing device having motor-driven opposed drive belt assemblies for engaging and maintaining contact with opposite surfaces of an elongated member while automatically adjusting to accommodate the passage of various tips and other equipment that may be provided on such member.  
         [0009]     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a pipe and rod pushing device mounted on a frame that has and angle adjustment assembly that allows the device to be set for different pipe insertion angles and that also enables the pushing device to be fastened to a truck or trailer.  
         [0010]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe and rod pushing device that is portable and lightweight, being easily transported to and adjusted for entry points of piping laid at virtually any angle from vertical to horizontal.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe and rod pushing device able to accommodate a plurality of different tip components interchangeably fitted on the elongated member being inserted for cleaning and inspection of pipe bores.  
         [0012]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rod and pipe pushing device that is not complex in structure and which can be manufactured at low cost but yet efficiently handle a wide range of rod and pipe insertion and extraction functions.  
         [0013]     In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention is directed to a rod and pipe pushing device having opposed drive belt assemblies for engaging opposite sides of an elongated member that is to be pushed into an embedded pipe having a larger diameter than the elongated member. The device is built upon a frame that provides full angle adjustment capability to facilitate alignment of the elongated member with the embedded pipe. The elongated member may be provided with various cleaning and inspection tips that are readily accommodated for pass-through by the opposed drive belt assemblies. Accordingly, the rod and pipe pushing device of the present invention, which is highly transportable, may be used effectively to clean and inspect a wide range of horizontally to vertically laid piping applications efficiently and cost-effectively.  
         [0014]     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an adjustable angle pipe pusher device in accordance with the present invention with the pipe pusher apparatus in a fully horizontal position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the pipe pusher device taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the pipe pusher device taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the pipe pusher device shown in  FIG. 1  with the pipe pusher apparatus in a fully upright vertical position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is top view of the pipe pusher device taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the pipe pusher device taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the pipe pusher device of  FIG. 1  with the pipe pusher apparatus positioned in a fully downward vertical position in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjustable angle pipe pusher device in accordance with the present invention with the pipe pusher apparatus in a horizontal position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 8  with the pipe pusher apparatus in a fully downward vertical position in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0025]     Referring now specifically to the drawings, the pipe and rod pushing device of the present invention as set forth in  FIGS. 1-7  includes a main support frame  10  having a pair of angle adjustment arms  12  one on each side of the frame  10 , and a pipe pusher apparatus which is generally designated by the reference numeral  14 . While described herein as a “pusher apparatus”, it will be understood by persons of skill in the art that such apparatus may be readily reversed through switching of the drive direction to provide pulling capability. Furthermore, as described hereinafter, the “pusher apparatus” according to the present invention provides both pushing and pulling capability, generally being used to first push a rod or pipe into a bore hole or larger diameter pipe for cleaning, inspection, etc., and thereafter pulling the same rod or pipe back out of the bore hole or larger diameter pipe once the desired procedure has been completed. Therefore, as used herein the “pipe pusher apparatus” is intended to refer to an apparatus used for both pushing and pulling of an elongated member such as a pipe, rod, tubing, etc.  
         [0026]     The main support frame  10  is generally rectangular in shape with side frame members  11  and end frame members  13  preferably welded together to form rectangular frame  10 . The frame  10  can be suitably coupled to a truck or trailer using a conventional hitch arrangement (not shown) for easy transport. Centrally mounted on each side frame member  11  is a hinge assembly  16  by which the pipe pusher apparatus  14  is mounted to the frame  10 . The hinge assembly  16 , which may be embodied as a hinge pin connection  18 , allows the pipe pusher apparatus  14  to pivot through a range of motion relative to the frame  10 . Specifically, the pipe pusher apparatus  14  can be pivoted from a fully upright vertical position as shown in  FIG. 4 , through a horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 1 , to a fully downward vertical position as shown in  FIG. 7 . The outermost pivot positions are defined by stop elements  20  provided on the side frame members  11 .  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , each angle adjustment arm  12  has an arched, generally semi-circular construction, with the ends  22  thereof being coupled, preferably by welding, to the sides  11  of the main support frame  10  such that the plane of the arms  12  is generally perpendicular to the plane of the frame  10 . Alternatively, the ends  22  may be connected to the sides  11  of frame  10  using other coupling mechanisms, including those which would allow the arms to be moved for adjustment of the position of the arms on the frame, if desired.  
         [0028]     A plurality of apertures  24  are provided in each arm  12 , spaced generally equidistantly from one another between the two ends  22 , with corresponding apertures  24  in the two arms  12  being in alignment with one another. When the pusher apparatus  14  has been pivoted on the hinge assembly  16  to a desired angle, a fastening element, generally designated by the reference numeral  26 , is inserted through the corresponding pair of aligned adjustment arm apertures  24  so as to lock the pipe pusher apparatus  14  to the frame  10  at the angle defined by such apertures  24 . According to the embodiments disclosed herein, the pusher apparatus is pivoted manually. However, various automated or mechanical devices could be employed to assist in or perform the needed adjustments in position.  
         [0029]     The pipe pusher apparatus  14  includes a base plate  28  that secures the pipe pusher apparatus  14  to the hinge assembly  16  of the frame  10 . A pair of U-shaped brackets  30  are fastened to the underside  34  of the base plate  28  adjacent each longitudinal side  36  thereof so that the “U” portion thereof is aligned with the apertures  24  in the adjustment arm  12 . To lock the pipe pusher apparatus  14  at a desired angle, the fastening element  26 , which may be embodied as an elongate member such as a rod  38 , is inserted through the appropriate aperture  24  in the near adjustment arm  12 , through the U-shaped brackets  30  on each longitudinal side  36  of the base plate  28 , and through the aperture  24  in the far adjustment arm  12 . Both ends of the rod  38  are then secured with locking pins  40  or the like, thus allowing the rod  38  to be easily removed from either side. This ease of adjustment and range of angular orientation provides for ready access to and maintenance of pipes laid at virtually any orientation.  
         [0030]     As shown in the drawing figures, the base plate  28  supports a pair of opposed drive belt assemblies generally designated by the reference numeral  42 . Each drive belt assembly  42  includes a belt  44 , with the belt assemblies  42  being pivotable toward and away from one another. When the belt assemblies  42  are pivoted toward one another so as to place the belts  44  in a juxtaposed relationship as shown in  FIG. 1 , the interfacing surfaces of the belts  44  define a pipe gripping area  46  therebetween for engaging and automatically maintaining a geometrical advantage between opposite surfaces of the pipe or rod to be pushed. The belts  44  can be driven by an electric, gas, hydraulic or pneumatic motor  48  and two worm gear speed reducers  50  maintain a mechanical advantage. Such a paired drive belt assembly configuration with associated driving elements in accordance with that intended for use within the present invention has been developed and is fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,845, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the base plate  28  of the pipe pusher apparatus  14  has a through hole  52  therein for passage of the pipe or rod being pushed. The hole  52  is in alignment with the pipe gripping area  46  when the belts  44  are in juxtaposed relationship. Mounted to the underside  34  of the base plate  28  so as to encompass the hole  52  is a mounting bracket  54  with an adjustable base plate roller guide, generally designated by the reference numeral  56 . The base plate roller guide  56  includes two pairs of rollers  58 ,  60 , each pair being generally perpendicular to the other pair, and the rollers of each pair being spaced to define a central pipe guide opening  62 . The base plate roller guide  56  serves to center an elongated member to be pushed in the central pipe guide opening  62 , thereby directing such elongated member into the pipe gripping area  46  of the drive belt assemblies  42  for pushing.  
         [0032]     According to the present invention, the pipe pusher apparatus  14  further includes a guide support frame  64  mounted on the base plate  28 . The guide support frame  64  includes preferably four struts  65  including base components  66  that are affixed and generally perpendicular to the base plate  28 , and angled components  68  distal from the base plate  28  which converge with one another at an adjustable frame apex roller guide, generally designated by reference number  70 .  
         [0033]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the adjustable frame apex roller guide  70  includes a pair of rollers  72  placed side by side with variable spacing so as to define a pipe passage area  74  therebetween. The pipe passage area  74 , which is in alignment with the pipe gripping area  46  of the drive belt assemblies  42  when the belts  44  are in their juxtaposed position, and hence also in alignment with the central pipe guide opening  62  of the base plate roller guide  56 , serves to center the pushed pipe or rod within the bore hole or pipe which is being cleaned or inspected.  
         [0034]     In accordance with the preferred embodiments shown herein, spray nozzles  76  are secured to the angled portions  68  of the guide support frame  64  adjacent the frame apex roller guide  70 . These nozzles  76  are coupled to a high pressure fluid supply (not shown) by appropriate tubing  78 . When the pusher apparatus  14 , having been used to push a rod or pipe, is put into a reverse mode for the retrieval of the pushing pipe or rod, the spray nozzles  76  can be activated to direct high pressure liquid toward the rollers  72  in order to wash debris off of the retrieved equipment. This not only cleans the inserted rod or pipe for subsequent use but also prevents unwanted transfer of dirt and debris to the belts  44  and roller guides  56 ,  70 .  
         [0035]     As has just been described, the angular adjustment of the pusher apparatus  14  is effected using the pair of arms  12 , hinge assembly  16  and brackets  30  which constitute an angle adjustment assembly. An alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the angle adjustment assembly is embodied with a hydraulic cylinder support arm  80  and hinge assembly  16 ′ is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As shown, the support arm  80  is hingedly coupled to the main support frame  10 ′ by pivot  82  and to the pusher apparatus  14  by pivot  84 . By elongating the hydraulic support arm  80 , the pipe pusher apparatus  14  can be rotated around hinge assembly  16 ′ from the horizontal position in  FIG. 8  to the vertical position in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment there are no separate angle adjustment arms  12 . The hydraulic cylinder support arm  80  preferably is of a type that can be locked in a desired extended position, as is known with cylinders of this type. Furthermore, as with the first embodiment two such hydraulic cylinder arms  80  may be provided, one on either side of the base plate, for greater stability.  
         [0036]     As described herein, the pipe pusher device according the present invention is able to push a pipe, multiple pipes, tubing or rods into a bore hole or larger diameter pipe or tubing. The insertion end of the article being pushed may be equipped with a cleaning tip, pressure washing tip, suction debris removal tip or video examination camera; tips such as these are commercially available as would be known by persons of ordinary skill in the art. With initial direction provided by the base plate roller guide, the cooperating belt drive assemblies automatically adjust the contact area of the belts to accommodate the various tips and other equipment which may be passed through the apparatus, and the frame apex roller guide provides final centering alignment within the pipe being entered. The surfaces of the belts may further include grooves of varying sizes to facilitate desired placement of the elongated member being pushed. This pipe and rod gripping and guiding capability, in combination with the fully adjustable frame which enables the working angle to be adjusted for alignment with any angled bore hole or tubing, results in an apparatus that is able to adapt to virtually any pipe configuration for performing a variety of pipe inspection and maintenance functions in a manner not known in the prior art.  
         [0037]     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.