Abstract: A slip form apparatus for the in place formation of a continuous concrete pipe in an open trench. The concrete material is supplied under high pressure to obtain a good and uniformly compacted pipe. The apparatus is automatically moved forward along the trench only when a properly compacted continuous pipe is being formed within the apparatus. Provided in the construction of the apparatus is the ability to temporarily stop the movement and formation of the pipe and then subsequently continue with the formation of the pipe without having to remove the apparatus from the trench. Also utilized in conjunction with the apparatus is a unique deployment arrangement for an inflatable film means located at a stationary position behind the apparatus to automatically supply support for the wet cementitious material as the pipe is being formed along the trench.

Abstract: A method of building underground pipelines by forming a casing in a hole from a forming material which is compacted in the direction from the center of the hole toward its walls. The hole is first filled with the forming material throughout its cross-sectional area and then the material is compacted in the direction towards the walls of the hole. Compaction is effected by a device comprising a rod-shaped body adapted for moving through the hole, the front end of the body being provided with a system of radial ribs.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming underground pipelines of the type which includes a plurality of component sections at least partially enclosed by a formable outer component, such apparatus comprising a receptacle, including a bulkhead at one end of the receptacle. The receptacle has an inlet opening sized to receive the inner component sections and the bulkhead has an outlet opening of sufficient size to permit an inner component section to pass rearwardly from the receptacle through the outlet opening. The apparatus and the inner component section are relatively axially advanceable so that the inner component section can be moved rearwardly relative to the apparatus and through the outlet opening. The formable outer component is delivered from a source of the outer component to a location rearwardly of the bulkhead. The bulkhead inhibits the flow of formable outer component forwardly through the outlet opening. The source of the formable outer component may be remote from the apparatus.

Abstract: Continuous concrete pipe is produced in an open trench by drawing a sled along the trench. The sled has a fresh concrete intake chute which supplies the concrete to a pipe-forming mechanism that generates the pipe. The lower pipe half is supported by the trench. To support the upper pipe half, a plastic material is given a convex shape complementary to the concave interior of the pipe. The plastic material is formed over a convex mandrel carried by the sled forward (in the direction of movement of the sled) of the intake means so that the plastic material hardens before contacted by wet concrete from the intake means. The mandrel extends rearwardly past the intake means to provide support for the plastic mold while the pipe is formed. Alternative ways for making the plastic mold are described.

Abstract: A slipform for lining upright shafts with monolithic concrete by pumping concrete downwardly under pressure to a slipform apparatus to simultaneously move the slipform apparatus upwardly within the shaft while concrete is being formed continuously into a monolithic lining within the shaft. The apparatus includes outer and inner slipform members. The outer member includes a sealing mechanism by which the area above the outer slipform is hydraulically sealed from the area below. The inner slipform fits within a conical recess of the outer slipform and includes a lower cylindrical portion for forming the open inside diameter of the lining. Concrete, in a plastic, wet condition, is pumped under pressure between the two slipform members to be molded against the shaft wall into an upwardly open monolithic concrete lining. Since the concrete is pumped between the two forms under pressure, a reaction force is created that operates upwardly against the slipform members.

Abstract: A slipform and method for lining upright shafts with monolithic concrete by pumping concrete downwardly through a "tremmie tube" to a slipform apparatus and simultaneously pulling the slipform apparatus upwardly within the shaft such that the delivered concrete is formed continuously into a monolithic lining within the shaft. The apparatus includes downwardly open outer and inner slipform members. The inner slipform or core member fits within a conical recess of the outer slipform member and includes a lower cylindrical portion for forming the open inside diameter of the lining. Concrete, in a wet condition, is delivered by the tremmie tube between the two slipform members and molded against the shaft wall. The tremmie tube is pulled upwardly from the shaft opening by a hoist mechanism that is also used during the previous drilling operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for shifting heavy supporting structures relative to stationary load carrying structures comprises a plurality of parallel jack rods secured to the load carrying structure. A plurality of climbing jacks adapted to operatively engage the jack rods are secured to the heavy supporting structure. The arrangement is such that the heavy supporting structure is shifted relative to the load carrying structure when the climbing jacks are operated and advance along the jack rods while the load carrying structure remains stationary. The reactive forces caused by the operation of the climbing jacks is transferred to the load carrying structure by the jack rods. A method for shifting heavy supporting structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A slipform and method for forming a concrete lining in upright open shafts having been previously filled with a liquid such as drilling mud. The drilling mud below the slipform apparatus is pressurized to push the slipform upwardly within the shaft while it simultaneously forms delivered concrete into a monolithic lining within the shaft. The apparatus includes outer and inner slipform members. The inner slipform member fits within a conical recess of the outer slipform member and includes a lower cylindrical portion for forming the open inside diameter of the lining. Concrete, in a plastic, wet condition, is pumped between the two slipform members to be molded against the shaft wall into an upwardly open monolithic concrete lining. The rate of ascent of the forms is timed in accordance with the setting time of the concrete so that the upwardly moving form leaves a hardened monolithic lining behind.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a curber and sidewalk-forming apparatus for contouring concrete along a predetermined run. The apparatus includes a hopper having at least one wall thereof sloping downwardly toward an opening formed in the bottom of the hopper which coincides with an opening formed in a slide plate surface at the bottom of the machine. Flowable concrete passes from the hopper through the opening in the slide plate and is directed rearwardly of the apparatus while the apparatus is transported in a predetermined direction along its run. A vibrating apparatus is secured to one of the walls of the hopper to insure proper flow of the concrete along the interior surface of the hopper so that the concrete continuously flows beneath the apparatus for forming curbs, gutters and sidewalks. A motor generator set is secured to the slide plate and produces electricity to operate electrical motors of the vibrator and winch secured thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a continuous concrete pipe having an integrally formed lining extending over part or all of the surface of its bore.

Abstract: A cementitious conduit is formed in situ in a ditch or the like by defining an elongated volume of annular cross-section within the ditch with the axis of elongation of the annular volume extending along the ditch and with one end of the annular volume closed and the other end thereof open. A solidifiable cementitious material is introduced into the annular volume at the closed end thereof and such cementitious material is continuously urged to move toward the open end thereof at a rate at least equal to a given rate. Simultaneously, the volume is moved along the ditch at such given rate with the closed end thereof preceding the open end thereof and circumferential frictional forces are applied to the cementitious material at the inner surface of such annular volume.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with in situ moulding of concrete pipelines and comprises apparatus having a moulding unit which is movably supported on preplaced support units by a cantilever beam. The moulding unit includes an inner mould former which corresponds to the internal cross sectional shape of the pipe to be formed and having an upper inner portion and a lower inner portion, and an outer mould former which extends over the top and upper side portions of the upper inner mould former in spaced relationship to define a mould cavity within which the top and upper side portions of the wall of the pipe is formed. The underside of the outer mould former is open so as to expose the mould cavity to the base of the trench within which the pipeline is being formed. A method for using the apparatus includes the steps of locating the trackway in a trench, moving the moulding unit along the trackway, and simultaneously pouring a concrete slurry into said mould cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for slip-forming a pipe or drainage trench including a leading cutter which is attached to the front of a prime mover for digging a trench. A following cutter is also attached to the front of the prime mover, but behind the leading cutter to thereby level off the surface of the ground along the top of the trench. A rigid concrete shaping apparatus including a portion overlying the trench also includes a rigid tubular portion which is disposed within the trench. A roll of flexible plastic material is connected to the apparatus and this plastic material is sealingly connected at one end thereof to a source of air pressure which causes the plastic to inflate to a tubular shape. This plastic is thereby maintained in an inflated condition and extends along the length of the trench to a point inside of the tubular portion of the concrete shaping apparatus, at which point the plastic is pinched by rollers to thereby maintain the pressure within the inflated portion of the flexible tube.