Abstract: An apparatus for bursting and replacing a conduit includes a stored energy and cutting head having a stored energy head cavity; an energy storing assembly including an energy storing head rod disposed in the stored energy head cavity, a washer retainer carried by the energy storing head rod and a plurality of cupped spring washers carried by the energy storing head rod and sandwiched between the washer retainer and the stored energy and cutting head; and a hammer assembly carded by the stored energy and cutting head.

Abstract: A bore hole sleeve reaming apparatus which is characterized by one or more subterranean bore clearing devices or sleeves for use with one or more clearing or bursting heads attached to a pull rod or cable and a pulling apparatus. One or more tapered sleeves are attached in spaced-apart relationship to a string of tandem-mounted plastic pipe when the clearing or bursting head or heads are attached to the pipe string to be pulled through the bore hole. The tapered sleeves are designed to straighten bore irregularities and clean, smooth and free the bore hole from collapsing earth, roots and/or rock and broken pipe and facilitate pulling the pipe string through the bore hole with minimum friction on the pipe string.

Abstract: A bore hole reaming apparatus characterized by one or more cleaning devices such as bursting heads attached to a pull rod and typically having one or more mandrels attached thereto in tandem for pulling a length of pipe through a pre-bored opening using a pulling apparatus. In a typical embodiment the bore hole reaming apparatus is characterized by a pair of bursting heads mounted in spaced-apart relationship in tandem on the pull rod and fitted with one or more mandrels attached to a third bursting head. The mandrel(s) is typically secured to a fourth bursting head by a cable and the fourth bursting head is attached to a string of typically HDPE pipe to be pulled through the bore hole. The mandrel(s) straighten irregularities and clean, smooth and enlarge the bore hole to facilitate pulling the pipe string through the bore hole with minimum friction on the pipe.

Abstract: A bore hole sleeve reaming apparatus which is characterized by one or more subterranean bore clearing devices or sleeves for use with one or more clearing or bursting heads attached to a pull rod or cable and a pulling apparatus. One or more tapered sleeves are attached in spaced-apart relationship to a string of tandem-mounted plastic pipe when the clearing or bursting head or heads are attached to the pipe string to be pulled through the bore hole. The tapered sleeves are designed to straighten bore irregularities and clean, smooth and free the bore hole from collapsing earth, roots and/or rock and broken pipe and facilitate pulling the pipe string through the bore hole with minimum friction on the pipe string.

Abstract: A bore hole reaming apparatus which is characterized by one or more cleaning devices such as bursting heads attached to a pull rod and typically having one or more mandrels attached thereto in tandem for pulling a length of pipe through a pre-bored opening using a pulling apparatus. In a typical embodiment the bore hole reaming apparatus is characterized by a pair of bursting heads mounted in spaced-apart relationship in tandem on the pull rod and fitted with one or more mandrels attached to a third bursting head. The mandrel(s) is typically secured to a fourth bursting head by a cable and the fourth bursting head is attached to a string of typically HDPE pipe to be pulled through the bore hole. The mandrel(s) straighten irregularities and clean, smooth and enlarge the bore hole to facilitate pulling the pipe string through the bore hole with minimum friction on the pipe.

Abstract: A tandem rod or cable apparatus for bursting and replacing pipe, which includes a frame, two sets of oppositely-disposed hydraulic cylinders having piston rods, each of which pairs of piston rods are attached to a yoke, with a gripping element provided in each yoke for independently gripping a rod or cable extending through the aligned gripping elements. One end of the rod or cable is attached to a bursting and stored energy head and the other end extends through the gripping elements, typically to a reel (in the case of a cable) for taking up slack in the cable. Advancement of the bursting and stored energy head through a defective pipe to be burst and typical simultaneous replacement with an attached replacement pipe is effected by operation of the two sets of hydraulic cylinders and the corresponding gripping elements to push or pull the rod or pull the cable.

Abstract: A cable pulling apparatus for pulling a work load attached to a cable, including at least one cable-pulling device for engaging the cable. The cable-pulling device or devices each includes at least one cable-pulling member fitted with a cable-gripping element for pulling the cable and the workload.

Abstract: A tandem rod or cable apparatus for bursting and replacing pipe, which includes a frame, two sets of oppositely-disposed hydraulic cylinders having piston rods, each of which pairs of piston rods are attached to a yoke, with a gripping element provided in each yoke for independently gripping a rod or cable extending through the aligned gripping elements. One end of the rod or cable is attached to a bursting and stored energy head and the other end extends through the gripping elements, typically to a reel (in the case of a cable) for taking up slack in the cable. Advancement of the bursting and stored energy head through a defective pipe to be burst and typical simultaneous replacement with an attached replacement pipe is effected by operation of the two sets of hydraulic cylinders and the corresponding gripping elements to push or pull the rod or pull the cable.

Abstract: A vertical pull apparatus for converting a vertical pulling motion to a horizontal pulling motion, which vertical pull apparatus typically includes a support for positioning in a generally vertical position. A cable-engaging mechanism is provided on the support, which cable-engaging mechanism engages a cable and defines a generally vertical cable segment and a generally horizontal cable segment in the cable. A first cable-gripping element and a second cable-gripping element on the support alternately and repeatedly grip and release the vertical cable segment of the cable. At least one of the cable-gripping elements is adapted for gripping and pulling the vertical cable segment of the cable along a vertical axis, such that the horizontal cable segment is pulled along a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A vertical pull apparatus for converting a vertical pulling motion to a horizontal pulling motion, which vertical pull apparatus typically includes a support for positioning in a generally vertical position. A cable-engaging mechanism is provided on the support, which cable-engaging mechanism engages a cable and defines a generally vertical cable segment and a generally horizontal cable segment in the cable. A first cable-gripping element and a second cable-gripping element on the support alternately and repeatedly grip and release the vertical cable segment of the cable. At least one of the cable-gripping elements is adapted for gripping and pulling the vertical cable segment of the cable along a vertical axis, such that the horizontal cable segment is pulled along a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A cable pulling apparatus for pulling a work load attached to a cable, including at least one cable-pulling device for engaging the cable. The cable-pulling device or devices each includes at least one cable-pulling member fitted with a cable-gripping element for pulling the cable and the workload.

Abstract: An apparatus for bursting and replacing gas, water, sewer or other underground utility pipes. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus is characterized by a specially-designed rod-pulling device which is situated typically in a manhole or excavation, at one end of the pipe to be replaced. A rod is extended from the rod-pulling device through the pipe and is attached to a stored energy head disposed in a tapered bursting head which initially engages the opposite end of the pipe. A pneumatic hammer is typically seated in the stored energy head and a replacement pipe is removably attached to the bursting head. In typical operation, the rod-pulling device pus the stored energy head against the bursting head and thus, the bursting head against the pipe as the pneumatic hammer repeatedly strikes the stored energy head against the bursting head.

Abstract: A pipe pulling and pushing apparatus and method of operation, which apparatus includes a spring-loaded wedge device seated in a driving apparatus and fitted to a rod or pipe for forcing the rod or pipe beneath a road, pipeline or other barrier where trenching is not feasible. The spring-loaded wedge is characterized by a housing which receives a coil spring positioned to intermittently engage a wedge defined by wedge segments collectively having a rod bore and teeth for selectively gripping the rod or pipe when the spring is fully extended, and releasing the rod or pipe when the spring is compressed. Repetitive gripping and releasing of the rod or pipe by the wedge is effected responsive to operation of the driving apparatus to incrementally drive the rod or pipe through the terrain beneath the barrier. The spring-loaded wedge can also be positioned on the rod or pipe in the driving apparatus to pull the rod or pipe through the terrain beneath the barrier.