Patents by Inventor James Barbera

James Barbera has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Subterranean boring machine
    Patent number: 6715565
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a subterranean boring machine includes a drive motor, primary and secondary drive wheels, a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket attached to the primary and secondary drive wheels, respectively, and a chain operatively extending between the drive sprocket and the idler sprocket. The drive mechanism is movably mounted on the sled of a subterranean boring machine that rolls along a track, the drive mechanism being biased against the track by a set of springs to cause the primary and secondary drive wheels to frictionally engage the track. The drive motor selectively and rotatably drives the primary drive wheel which, in turn, drives the secondary drive wheel. The drive mechanism translates the sled along the track under conditions when the sled is not driving a pipe into a subterranean location. The drive mechanism is configured to be largely self-contained to permit existing sleds to be retrofitted with the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: James Barbera
  • Subterranean boring machine
    Patent number: 6374929
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a subterranean boring machine includes a drive motor, primary and secondary drive wheels, a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket attached to the primary and secondary drive wheels, respectively, and a chain operatively extending between the drive sprocket and the idler sprocket. The drive mechanism is movably mounted on the sled of a subterranean boring machine that rolls along a track, the drive mechanism being biased against the track by a set of springs to cause the primary and secondary drive wheels to frictionally engage the track. The drive motor selectively and rotatably drives the primary drive wheel which, in turn, drives the secondary drive wheel. The drive mechanism translates the sled along the track under conditions when the sled is not driving a pipe into a subterranean location. The drive mechanism is configured to be largely self-contained to permit existing sleds to be retrofitted with the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: James Barbera