Abstract: A service connection between a water main and a meter within a building has a service conduit within a leakage conduit. The leakage conduit has a sealed connection with a casing sealed to the main and enclosing a corporation stop to which the service conduit is connected. The leakage conduit is sealed to the service conduit within the building and adjacent the meter and includes an outlet extending outwardly through the building wall above the ground so that leakage within the corporation casing or a leak in the service conduit may be quickly detected. In the event of a leak, the service conduit may be removed and replaced through the leakage conduit with excavation limited to exposing the corporation casing and the end of the leakage conduit connected thereto.

Abstract: Cable-operated snubbing apparatus having a pre-set tension applied to the cables therein via connections to fluid-operated pistons. The pistons are connected to an accumulator for accumulating fluid from the piston cylinders when the draw works of the snubbing apparatus is retracted, thus allowing control by a single rig operator and minimizing horsepower requirements.

Abstract: A pipe-driving apparatus has a support body with tubular components for accommodating the cylinders of hydraulic rams. The body has a plurality of location members with jaws selectively engageable with the outer end of a pipe section to be driven.These jaws can move radially inwards or outwards of the pipe section and can thus selectively couple the support body to the pipe-section so that the rams can be extended against an abutment to move the pipe section longitudinally.During use of the apparatus the support body and the cylinders of the rams are substantially entirely located within the pipe section.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus is provided for raising and lowering the shaft of an impeller apparatus and includes a hydraulic cylinder having a piston mounted therein. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends from one end of the cylinder. A support means for the cylinder is provided and includes a top portion, a base portion, and a hollow interior portion. The base portion is adapted to be secured to the top of the impeller apparatus. The cylinder is secured to the top portion of the support means and the piston rod extends downward into the hollow interior portion. Further means are provided for securing the piston rod to the end of the shaft, and hydraulic circuit means are placed in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder for activating the hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower the shaft. The hollow interior portion of the support means serves to receive the end of the shaft when the shaft is in the raised position.

Abstract: A hydraulic ram is secured to a frame member which includes a pivotally attached scissor clamp for securing the frame member to the outer circumference of a first pipe section. The shaft of the hydraulic ram is extended and retracted by hydraulic fluid under pressure supplied by a hydraulic pump driven by a battery powered electric motor. The shaft is secured to cables which are coupled to an adjacent pipe section. As the shaft retracts, it draws the adjacent section of pipe into longitudinal abutting contact with the first pipe section.

Abstract: A self-equilizing mechanical leverage system for well-drilling derricks is provided for coupling pairs of hydraulic rams in side-by-side arrangement to a common load, in a manner to overcome the tendency of one ram of a pair to advance more rapidly than the other. The system is especially adapted for use with well-drilling derrick systems, for raising and lowering the drilling head and pipe string using elongated hydraulic cylinders and rams as the lifting means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for laying small-diameter gas, water pipes or the like precisely in the ground. Small-diameter pilot pipes are first laid in while at the same time, a pilot head is measured and controlled to make its straight advance. Pipes of a larger diameter are then laid in successively, the pipes being led by the pilot pipes. Concurrent with this, excavated earth is discharged through the laid-in pilot pipes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of laying small-diameter pipes such as gas, water pipes or the like precisely in position in the ground. Small-diameter pilot pipes are first laid in with a pilot head being measured and controlled in order to make its advance straight. Pipes which are larger in diameter than the pilot pipes are then laid in successively, the large-diameter pipes being led by the pilot pipes. A multistage head is used as a head utilized for consolidation of soil and disposed in a following relationship to the pilot pipes, thereby reducing resistance exerted upon the head.

Abstract: A pipe remover for extracting a buried pipe from the ground by pulling an exposed end. The remover includes a grasping dog which engages the exposed end and a pushing dog which engages the buried trailing end. The two dogs are connected by a drawing element. By pulling outwardly on the drawing element, the pulling force is divided between pulling action on one end and pushing action on the other end. The pipe is usually extracted without breaking but, even if it breaks, is pushed through. The pipe may be simultaneously replaced by attaching a new pipe to the trailing end of the pushing dog.

Abstract: Apparatus for pushing or pulling a pipe, rod or the like through subterranean areas, such as beneath sidewalks, roadways, etc. It is lowered into a pit and braced against opposing walls thereof by jacking out an extensible frame. Once positioned within the pit, a motor and pump unit supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic cylinder which reciprocates through a lever arm a gripping means slidably mounted on the frame. When moved in one direction, the gripping means grips the pipe or rod while when moved in the other direction it disengages from the pipe or rod. The pipe or rod is thereby driven longitudinally into the ground. To pull the pipe or rod, the gripping direction of the gripping means is reversed by shifting the gripping member.

Abstract: An apparatus for both extracting and installing well pipes respectively from and into the ground includes first and second well pipe gripping devices each having cooperating jaws of arcuate configuration with gripping teeth thereon. The jaws are eccentrically mounted and spring biased for closing rotation toward one another for clamping the well pipe in only one direction causing the jaws to close. And, the jaws open in an opposite direction for permitting relative movement of the well pipe. One of the devices is fixedly disposed near the ground while the other is mounted for vertical movement for extracting the well pipe. The fixed device clamps the pipe against downward movement while the movable device is lowered to again clamp the pipe for further extraction. Likewise, a guiding of the well pipe while being installed into the ground under its own weight is effected as the movable device is lowered in clamping engagement therewith.

Abstract: A tube-driving apparatus which has a frame with floor-engaging beams and abutment-forming beams arranged perpendicular thereto. A pressure ring, which engages on a pipe or tube to be driven, is supported by guide shoes slidably engaging on the floor beams.Piston and cylinder units are coupled with ball-and-socket joints to the pressure ring and the abutment-forming beams and serve to advance the ring to drive the pipe into the ground. A pivotable rail is located by guide means on the exterior of the ring and is adjusted to partly rotate the ring about its axis parallel to the floor beams to set up a controllable torsional force in the ring which can be imparted to the driven pipe.

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 coupling for use with two relatively movable members to transmit force between the members comprising a resilient coil element having convolutions positioned between the members and a solid core element positioned within the convolutions of the resilient element, the resilient element being positioned such that relative movement of the members urges the convolutions into frictional engagement with both of the members. The solid core element is of a size such that when frictional engagement of the members with the convolution occurs, the convolutions are prevented from being distorted beyond their elastic limit to thereby cause permanent set of the resilient element.

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.

Abstract: The post driver apparatus of the instant invention is designed to be mounted on a truck chassis that can be readily moved from site to site and comprises a fluid-pressure impact hammer mounted in a shock absorbing cage assembly that permits rapid driving of posts into the ground without transmission of substantial shock forces to the frame and chassis on which the post driver is mounted. The apparatus is also equipped with means to vary the location and orientation of the impact hammer with respect to the truck chassis thereby minimizing the precision with which the truck chassis must be located.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe jack for pulling a pipe lengthwise through the ground without the necessity of excavating the ground to create a trench first, the jack including a number of hydraulic rams coupled to a set of jaws, and the jaws being hydraulically displaceable to clamp a pipe disposed between them.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to pipe jacks, which are known devices for use in hauling pipes, cables and the like through the ground. By disconnecting a length of pipe or like at both ends, and then pulling the pipe lengthwise, the expense and labour of creating a trench, that is removing earth from above the pipe, can be avoided. In cases where the pipe runs below a surfaced road, pavement or the like, additional substantial costs in resurfacing are avoided. A new pipe may be installed in similar manner for example by attaching the same to the trailing end of the old pipe being removed, or by threading the new pipe into the orifice created by withdrawing the old pipe.

Abstract: An anchoring means for an earth works tunneling device includes a unit having two planar back-stop members secured together in spaced relation from one another. Between the back-stop members is provided a means for mounting the tunneling device so that a force exerted on the device is transmitted to the stop members. Thus, as the device drives or pulls a pipe or pipe stem through the earth, the counterreactive force is transmitted to one of the stop members which pushes against the adjacent earth bank so as to anchor the tunneling device.