Patent ID: 12258237

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

100pipe stringer attachment200base202center210frame211hitch arm212lateral support armature213hitch connection214longitudinal support armature216leg217wheel218guide219aperture220left side guide222right side guide230spindle232pair of armatures240mounting coupler242coupler plate244lip250hub252turntable axle260rotation lock300top bar assembly310top bar linear portion315top bar first connector end319pin355top bar second connector end900tow vehicle902alternate tow vehicle904lift arm906attachment interface910payload

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pipe stringer attachment (herein described as the “invention”)100. The invention100may comprise a base200, a spindle230, a mounting coupler240, and a frame210. The invention100may be adapted to couple to a tow vehicle900via the mounting coupler240and may hold a payload910on the base200as the payload910is dispensed to a work site during a pipe stringing operation. As a non-limiting example, the tow vehicle900may be a skid loader. In other embodiments (seeFIG.3), an alternate tow vehicle902with a hitch connection213can be used. In this embodiment, a hitch arm211is capable of removable securing attachment to the hitch connection213. As non-limiting examples, the payload910may be a coil of a flexible pipe or tubing such as a drainage pipe, a water line, a gas line, or a flexible conduit. As a non-limiting example, the work site may be a trench.

The base200may be a rigid horizontal planar frame assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the base200is fabricated from an assembly of square tubular frame elements to provide a lighter weight. Other embodiments may provide for a single plate. The base200may be operable to carry the payload910such that the payload910may be uncoiled and deployed. In some embodiments, the base200may be circular. The base200may have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the payload910.

The spindle230may be an upward projection from a center202of the base200forming an axis which the payload910may revolve around. When the coil of the flexible pipe is placed on the base200, the spindle230may pass through the center of the coil. In some embodiments, the spindle230may comprise a pair of armatures232that are oriented in an inverted conical shape. Other shapes, such as an inverted truncated conical shape, or designs where the armatures232are orthogonal to each other are herein envisioned.

The mounting coupler240may couple the frame210to the tow vehicle900. Using the mounting coupler240, the tow vehicle900may lift the invention100, and hence the payload910, by activating a lift arm904of the tow vehicle900.

The specifics of the mounting coupler240may vary based upon the tow vehicle900. In some embodiments, the mounting coupler240may comprise a coupler plate242. The coupler plate242may be a substantially vertically oriented plate and may couple to an attachment interface906located at the front of the lift arm904. As non-limiting examples, the coupler plate242may couple to the attachment interface906of the lift arm904via mounting hardware passing through one (1) or more mounting holes, one (1) or more brackets, one (1) or more rods, one (1) or more interlocking elements, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the coupler plate242may comprise a lip244. The lip244may be an overhang along the top, rear edge of the coupler plate242. The lip244may be operable to interlock with the top edge of the attachment interface906.

The frame210may be coupled to the underside of the base200and may support the base200. In some embodiments, the frame210may comprise a lateral support armature212and a longitudinal support armature214. The lateral support armature212may pass laterally under the center202of the base200from the right edge of the base200to the left edge of the base200. The longitudinal support armature214may pass longitudinally under the base200. The longitudinal support armature214may extend rearwards past the rear edge of the base200to reach the mounting coupler240. The rear end of the longitudinal support armature214may couple to the mounting coupler240. The longitudinal support armature214may extend forward to at least the center202of the base200.

The frame210may further comprise a plurality of legs216that may project downwards from the frame210. The plurality of legs216may elevate the base200above ground level. In some embodiments, the plurality of legs216may project downwards from the ends of the lateral support armature212. Affixed to the distal end of each leg216is a wheel217. Each of the plurality of legs216may be identical in length. The length of the plurality of legs216may be selected to match the dimensions of the mounting coupler240such that when the invention100is decoupled from either tow vehicle900,902the base200may remain level as the plurality of legs216and the mounting coupler240rest on the ground.

In some embodiments, the invention100may comprise a plurality of guides218that project upwards above the base200. The plurality of guides218may be operable to control the uncoiling of the payload910by retaining the payload910on the base200. The plurality of guides218may also be adapted to improve the operator's awareness of the position of the base200by providing elevated markers that are located at the perimeter the base200and are visible to the vehicle operator even if the base200is not visible to the operator of either tow vehicle900,902. In some embodiments, the plurality of guides218may comprise a left side guide220and a right side guide222. The left side guide220may project upwards from the left end of the lateral support armature212and the right side guide222may project upwards from the right end of the lateral support armature212to mark the leftmost and rightmost extents of the base200.

In some embodiments, the base200may rotate on the frame210in a turntable-like manner. As a non-limiting example, the base200may comprise a hub250and the frame may comprise a turntable axle252. The hub250may comprise the center202of the base200. The hub250may be a hollow cylindrical housing that is open on the bottom to accept insertion of the turntable axle252into the hub250. The turntable axle252may be a cylindrical projection upwards from the frame210where the lateral support armature212meets the longitudinal support armature214. The outside diameter of the turntable axle252may be smaller than the inside diameter of the hub250such that the turntable axle252fits into the hub250.

In some embodiments, the base200may be elevated above the frame210by the hub250and the turntable axle252, except in cases where an imbalance of the payload910may cause the base200to tilt and touch the frame210.

In some embodiments, the base200, may ride on the frame210as the base200rotates. As a non-limiting example, the frame210may comprise Teflon bushings or similar friction reduction at locations where the base200and the frame210meet.

In some embodiments, a rotation lock260may prevent the base200from rotating when the invention100is being transported on the road. As a non-limiting example, the rotation lock260may be a pivoting forked hook that may be pivoted towards the base200to prevent rotation of the base200and may be pivoted away from the base200to allow rotation of the base200.

In some embodiments, a top bar assembly300can be removably placed on top of the left side guide220and the right side guide222in order to prevent vertical travel of the payload910over the spindle230during transport or operation thereof. The top bar assembly300includes a tubular structure similar to the base200and spindle230individual elements. The top bar assembly300includes a top bar linear member310, a top bar first connector end315located at a terminal first distal end of the top bar linear member310, and a top bar second connector end355located at a terminal second distal end of the top bar linear member310. The top bar first connector end310and the top bar second connector end350each are oriented perpendicular to the top bar linear portion310and each comprise an inner channel capable of sliding over the guides218. The top car first connector end315and top bar second connector end355each has an aperture that is capable of secure attachment to an aligned pair of apertures219located in the guides218with a pin319, thereby securing the top bar assembly300to the guides218and preventing unwanted travel of the payload910off the invention100.

In use, the invention100may be coupled to a tow vehicle900by attaching a mounting coupler240of the invention100to an attachment interface906of a lift arm904on the tow vehicle900; or alternately, the hitch arm211can be removably coupled to a hitch connection213of an alternate tow vehicle902. A payload910may be placed onto a base200. As a nonlimiting example, a coil of a flexible pipe may be laid on its side on the base200such that a spindle230passes vertically through the center of the coil. The chosen tow vehicle900,902may be positioned adjacent a work site and the payload910may be pulled from the coil. As the payload910is deployed, the payload910may revolve around the spindle230. The chosen tow vehicle900,902may periodically be repositioned to move along the work site such that the payload910is deployed along the work site.

The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the invention100may vary upon manufacturing. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.