Abstract: A triangular folding clothes rack (1) having a top tubular cross piece (2) with an inner axle (3) to allow a front frame (4) of the rack and a rear frame (5) of the rack to fold outward into an open position for drying articles of clothing and inward into a closed position for storing the rack. Clothes may be hung from the top tubular piece and/or hanging rods (9) either directly and/or by using conventional hangers. Offsets (13) located on the rear frame and extensions (14) located on hanging rods allow clothes to be hung without the clothes lying on top of each other, thereby providing maximum airflow between the clothes to allow for expedited drying.

Abstract: A pipe splitter having an elongated frame, a first end and a second end is disclosed. A first roller and a second roller is rotatably positioned proximate the first end and the second end of the elongated frame, respectively, to rotatably support the elongated frame when positioned in use into the bore of a pipe to be split. A first coupling means is securably positioned at the first end of the elongated frame to enable the elongated frame to be pulled along a longitudinal dimension of the pipe to be split. A cutting wheel is positioned between the first end and the second end of the elongated frame to enable a cutting engagement of the pipe in order to split the pipe along a single longitudinal path thereof.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a light weight underground pipe or cable installing device adapted for use in a narrow and deep operating trench. More particularly this underground pipe installing device employs a pair of laterally movable gates positioned adjacent the bottom of the operating trench where the earth is more solid to securely clamp the device in the operating trench to enable it to withstand the forces exerted as the actuating rod is forced through the earth from the so-called operating trench to the target trench.To accommodate the laterally movable gates positioned adjacent the bottom of the narrow pipe installing device, a pair of top operated double-acting rod clamping jaws, operated by a hydraulic cylinder positioned above the actuating rod are employed.

Abstract: In instances where it is necessary to install a pipe or cable under a road or sidewalk without forming an open topped trench through the road or sidewalk, it is desirable that the operating trench in which the installing device is positioned be as narrow as possible. This is desirable to avoid disrupting the ground adjacent the road or sidewalk more often than is necessary. The installing device is positioned in the bottom of the operating trench, and clampingly engages the actuating rod and forces it axially under the road or sidewalk. Short installation rod segments are threadedly connected into the installation rod in the narrow and deep trench as the installing device pushes the installation rod under the road or sidewalk. To threadedly connect the short rod segments into the installation rod an elongated rod segment threader successively engages the rod segments and is positioned in the ditch and aligns them with the actuating rod at the bottom of the operating trench.

Abstract: To install a pipe or cable in the ground without disturbing the surface or the ground above the pipe or cable such for example as where a pipe is to be installed under a street, driveway or sidewalk, it is customary to place an underground pipe installing device in an operating trench on one side of where the pipe is to be installed, and to force a solid installation rod through the ground to a target trench on the opposite side. The pipe or cable to be installed is then connected to the installation rod, and the rod is withdrawn to install the pipe or cable in the hole made by the rod.To drive the rod through the ground it is customary to grip or clamp the rod firmly on opposite sides, with a sufficient pressure to force the rod through the ground when an axially directed force is exerted on it.

Abstract: A connector fitting, for use in the installation of underground plastic pipes, for threaded engagement into a generally standard fitting conventionally used to install underground metal pipes in circumstances where it is desirable to permit soil to flow into the interior chamber of the pipe as said pipe is being pulled into its underground installed position. A main sleeve portion of the plastic pipe connector is exteriorly screwthreaded along a front end portion for threaded engagement within an annular tube portion of the metal pipe connector, and a pair of relatively short sleeves of predetermined differing diameters are fixed as by welding relative to respective inner and outer rear end surfaces of the main sleeve portion. Rearwardly extended portions of the short sleeves define an annular pocket sized to receive a leading end of the plastic pipe.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a coupled sectional rod assembly of a type for use in an underground pipe installer device for, first, forming an underground hole between two given points and, second, installing a pipe or the like in the hole. Each end of the rod includes a reduced diameter screw threaded stud portion for reception in one end of a coupler having the same outside diameter as the rod section. Both ends of the coupler conventionally include an unthreaded lead-in end portion. Both screw threaded-end stud portions of each rod section of the present invention include a shoulder portion connecting between the screw threaded studs and the main rod section length.

Abstract: An underground pipe installing device comprising a T-shaped frame for positioning in a T-shaped operating trench in the ground, and which is located relative to a target trench in alignment with the intended pipe installation. The frame is suspended in the trench by a plurality of chains, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly is pivotally carried by said frame. A clutch yoke carried on the extended end of the piston is adapted for selective engagement and disengagement with a push rod, employed to form a hole for the pipe. An elongated clutch operating handle and conduits from the cylinder to a hydraulic control valve extend upwardly above the ground level to provide for easy manual control of the device.

Abstract: A pair of elongated abutment members are provided in a parallel arrangement outwardly of respective sides of an underground pipe installer device, and a link arrangement connects the abutment members to the respective sides in a manner whereby the spacing between the members may be forcibly expanded by utilizing the drive forces of the pipe installer by interconnecting an underground hole forming rod, conventionally engaged in the installer to the link arrangement during a forward drive operation thereof. A pair of screw shafts connect between the installer device and the linkage in a manner whereby lock nuts, when engaged on the screw shafts, serve to lock the abutment members in their expanded positions. Removal of the lock nuts relieves the expansion forces and permits the abutment members to be moved oppositely inwardly toward the installer device.

Abstract: A leveling structure incorporated in an underground pipe installer device comprised of a jack positioned relative to a first end portion of the pipe installer device to selectively raise or lower the first end a desired amount about a pivot, located adjacent to a second end of the device. A first, vertically movable portion of the jack is fixed relative to a main longitudinally extending main frame which carries drive jaws operated by a suitable fluid operated cylinder and piston assembly utilized to drive a rod through the ground to form a hole into which a pipe or the like is withdrawn into an installed position. A second portion of the jack is pivoted to a rear end portion of a base structure which is, in turn, pivotally attached at its forward end relative to a forward end portion of the main frame; and a vertically extending screw rod is threaded through a nut carried in the upper end of the first jack portion with a lower end portion, rotatably captivated to a top end of the second jack portion.

Abstract: Drive jaws for a device of the type used to install an underground pipe, service line, etc. between two given points, such as the opposed sides of a finished driveway or street, for example. The drive jaws preferably include a pair of spaced apart plates with aligned through holes sized for free passage therethrough of a rod used in the formation of a hole for the pipe or other conduit. A pair of axially aligned laterally extending pivot pins are provided on respective side edges of each jaw with the axes thereof lying in a horizontal plane in a transverse relation through the common axis of the through holes; and including bronze bearing blocks on each side of the jaws to rotatably journal the pivot pins and for sliding engagement in slots provided in opposed side walls of the pipe installer device.

Abstract: A front mounted brace for an underground pipe installer device comprised of a vertically disposed abutment frame, transversely pivotally mounted to a front end portion of an underground pipe installer device, the frame being comprised of upper and lower rails, interconnected by a plurality of vertical struts. Upper and lower front end extensions from the pipe installer pivotally carry the frame.

Abstract: A stabilizer structure for an underground pipe installer device comprised of a pair of adjustable, oppositely, outwardly extending stabilizing abutments, fixed to the rear end portion of an underground pipe installer device. A compound scissors linkage is pivotally mounted relative to an upstanding post fixed to the rear end portion of the installer device, with upper and lower pairs of links thereof being mounted between fixed pivots respectively carried by the post and abutments, and an intermediate pair of links connecting between fixed pivots at outer ends, carried by the respective abutments, and pivots at their respective inner ends carried by a traveling nut, threaded on an elongated screw rod, anchored in a vertical attitude between the three pairs of links, for rotational operation to selectively move the pair of abutments inwardly or outwardly relative to each other.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the drive jaw structure of a device for installing a pipe under a finished surface such as a driveway or street. The drive jaws are each provided with a spring loaded shift lever and a slide bar; one end of the spring is anchored to a slide box structure, carrying the jaw assembly, and the opposed spring end is slidably engaged on the slide bar in a manner whereby proper manipulation of the shift lever will cause the associated drive jaw to be selectively shifted and maintained in a forward or reverse drive attitude.Both of the drive jaw assemblies are pivotally maintained in position relative to the slide box by means of a single removable rod, extending centrally, longitudinally of the top of the slide box.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a guide means for a device used for example to install a pipe under a finished surface such as a driveway or street. The guide means comprises an upper and a lower rear guide roller for a rod or pipe being actuated by the device and two pairs of upper and lower rollers mounted relative to the front of the device. The rear pair of rollers and the two pairs of front rollers are arranged to permit passage between the respective pairs of rollers of a coupling, joining two rod lengths, without said coupling being in contact with more than one roller at any one time.

Abstract: A rod and pipe pusher, puller device for operative attachment to a conventional type of tractor or truck mounted backhoe machine without removal of the backhoe bucket. The attachment of operation of the device is accomplished by the removal of a single pin from the drive linkage to the bucket from a hydraulic operated piston of the conventional mechanism of the backhoe machine. Means are provided to securely anchor the bucket to an upper central portion of the device and to connect said drive linkage to a power arm of the device to accomplish the rod and pipe pushing, pulling operation.