Patent GB-190718316-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Progressively Moulding Plastic Material into Conduits and the like in Situ.
Inventor: LAKE WILLIAM EDWARD
Filed: 1907-08-13
Granted: 1908-06-18
Abstract: 18,316. Lake, W. E., [Ransome International Conduit Co.]. Aug. 13. Moulding conduits &c. in situ. - Apparatus for moulding plastic material into open or closed conduits &c. in situ comprises in combination an earth-shaper 1, Fig. 2, an inner or lower mould 17, and an outer or upper mould 4, Fig. 3. The apparatus is used in a trench or on the level. The earth - shaper 1 is trough-shaped and corresponds in shape to the lower portion of the conduit. It is formed with a sloping end 2 to scoop up the earth as the apparatus is advanced by means of the gear 12, which operates the winding-drum 7 and winds up the cable 6 attached to a peg fixed to the ground at a point in advance of the apparatus. A plate 5 prevents the scooped - up earth from interfering with the winding-apparatus. To prevent the apparatus from rocking, side flanges 3 are provided which rest upon or cut into the walls of the trench. The lower mould 17 is provided with an extension 20 carrying a pivoted link 21 by means of which it is coupled to the earth-shaper. The lower mould 17 is smaller than the earth-shaper 1 and is arranged concentrically thereto, leaving a space S into which plastic material is shovelled to form the lower portion of the pipe or conduit P. To facilitate the packing of the plastic material, the mould 17 is formed with a sloping front 16 having upstanding flanges 18. The outer or upper mould 4, Fig. 3, is rigidly connected to the earth-shaper 1 by means of the flanges 3. Removable core-sections M, M' are placed within the conduit to support it until set. When required, the conduit is reinforced by metallic spirals or rings R which are guided between the lugs 33, 34, Fig. 6, carried by the bar 20 and earth shaper 1 respectively, and also between flanges 38, 39 on the earth-shaper 1 and the lower mould 17, respectively. The reinforcing-sections are placed in position by disconnecting and turning up the bar 21, and the sections are connected by longitudinal metal bars x, x<1>, x<2>, of which the bars x, x<1> are guided between the lugs 33, 34. A tension-relieving device 30, Fig. 2, facilitates the detachment of the bar 21. When no reinforcement is employed, the space between the lugs 33, 34 is closed by a stop piece D, Fig. 18, and the flanges 38, 39 are fitted with guides 40, Fig. 19. The apparatus is moved along progressively and plastic material fed into the space S between the earthshaper 1 and the lower mould 17, and the space between the upper mould 4 and the core-sections M. A sufficient number of core-sections M are used to prevent collapse, and as the apparatus is moved forward the end section M<2>, Fig. 4, is disconnected by a workman and moved to the front by means of an endless cable 43 driven by a motor 41, Fig. 2. Each core-section M is formed of a base portion 62, Fig. 8, and hinged upper-portions 63, 64 normally retained in operative position by means of a gravity catch 69 which is released by a work. man to collapse the mould. Rails 54, Figs. 8 and 9, are formed on the base portion 62 of each section and are provided with inclined ends 55, 57, adjacent sections being connected by links 56. A grip 50, pivoted to a bar 53 attached to the bottom of the core-sections M, is swung upwards to engage the cable 43 when the collapsed section M<2>, Fig. 4, is to be moved to the front of the apparatus. The collapsed section moves along the rails 54 until the end of the grip 50 comes against a stop 61, Fig. 2, which releases the grip from the cable 43. Fig. 20 shows a modified form of apparatus for forming open conduits. In this modification, the mould 17 is rigidly connected to the earth-shaper 1 by means of connecting pieces y, 71. For making small closed conduits &c. the inner mould is formed of a tube 72, Fig. 21, with a closed end 74 which is connected by a link 75 to the earth-shaper, which is slotted at 84 to receive the pin 83 of an operating- lever by means of which the apparatus is moved forwards. Fig. 25 shows a modification of the apparatus for forming kerbs and gutters in situ. The earth-shaper 1 is in this case flat and carries the moulds 100, 101 for forming kerbs and gutters. Plastic material is fed into openings 103, 104.