GB2566998A

GB2566998A - Apparatus for digging trenches in the ground

Info

Publication number: GB2566998A
Application number: GB1715888.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dariel Jean-Paul; Dariel Philippe
Original assignee: D'installation Telephonique Et De Signalisation Ste; Soc Dinstallation Telephonique Et De Signalisation
Current assignee: D'installation Telephonique Et De Signalisation Ste; Soc Dinstallation Telephonique Et De Signalisation
Priority date: 2017-09-29
Filing date: 2017-09-29
Publication date: 2019-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-29
Also published as: GB2566998B; GB201715888D0

Abstract

A device to reinforce the rigidity of an apparatus 18 for digging trenches in the ground so as to lay cables when being towed by a tow wagon or vehicle 1. The apparatus 18 is linked to the tow wagon 1 by means of upstream beams 8, 9 and downstream beams 10, 11 attached to arms, respectively upstream 2 and downstream 3. This device comprises a linking element 12, 15 positioned between said apparatus 18 and the tow vehicle 1. Optionally, this linking element is in the form of a rigid element, in particular a metal bar or metallic cable. Optionally, the linking element is linked to elastic means, (figure 3, 19, 20). Optionally, the elastic means are integral with the tow wagon of with the linking element itself. Optionally, there is an upstream linking element 12 and a downstream linking element 15. Optionally, the upstream linking element is fitted with break-monitoring means associated with an alarm.

Description

Title: Apparatus for digging trenches in the ground.

The technical scope of the present invention is that of apparatus to dig trenches so as to install cable troughs or to bury cables under the ground.

Devices are known of this kind whose purpose is to prepare a trench in the ground of different widths.

Autonomous devices have been proposed, such as for example those of patents CH-486607 or DE-19614707. But these are autonomous vehicles fitted with a coulter which can only be implemented on a totally obstacle-free terrain. Such systems cannot be used when trenches have to be dug along a railway track because of the lack of available space.

Patent FR-2646185 discloses a system enabling trenches to be dug along a railway track. In this embodiment, the apparatus has been linked to a carrier wagon by means of beams integral with arms that are hinged with respect to the wagon. Additionally, provision has been made to tow the apparatus by means of a cable attached to the immediately preceding wagon. The drawback to such a solution lies in the lack of control of the tension exerted on this cable because of its being attached to the preceding wagon, cable which may snap thereby presenting a risk to the personnel present.

The aim of the present invention is to supply a device that enables the structure formed by the carrier wagon and apparatus assembly to be rigidified.

The invention thus relates to a device to reinforce the rigidity of an apparatus to dig trenches in the ground so as to lay cables as it is being towed by a tow wagon, said apparatus being linked to the tow vehicle by means of upstream and downstream beams attached to arms, respectively upstream and downstream, hinged with respect to the tow vehicle, wherein it comprises a linking element positioned between said apparatus and the tow vehicle.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the linking element is a rigid element, in particular a metal bar or metallic cable.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the linking element is linked to elastic means.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the elastic means are integral either with the tow vehicle or with the linking element itself.

Advantageously, the elastic means are constituted by drive means onto which the linking element is meshed.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the device incorporates an upstream linking element and a downstream linking element.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the upstream linking element is of the rigid or elastic type and the downstream element is of the rigid or elastic type.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the linking element is fitted with break-monitoring means associated with an alarm.

A first advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the digging apparatus is fully integral with the carrier wagon by means of a rigidified structure.

Another advantage lies in the fact that the rigidity of the carrier wagon and apparatus assembly can be fully controlled.

Yet another advantage of the present invention lies in the rapid replacement of the linking element in the event of a failure.

Other characteristics, advantages and particulars of the invention will become more apparent from the additional description hereafter of the embodiments, given by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 represents a top view of the device according to the invention equipping a carrier wagon,

- Figures 2 to 4 show variant embodiments of the linking element.

The carrier wagon and its equipment will be sufficiently described, but for further detail, reference may be made to patent FR-2646185 previously mentioned.

Figure 1 show a top view of a carrier wagon 1 moving from up to downstream and towed, for example, by a locomotive not shown. This wagon 1 is fitted with a first upstream arm 2 and a second downstream arm 3 respectively integral with mounting bases 4 and 5. These arms are naturally substantially horizontal and parallel to the platform of the wagon 1. These mounting bases are mounted able to rotate with respect to the wagon by means of actuators, respectively 6 and 7. At the free end of each of these arms, vertical suspension beams 8, 9, 10 and 11 are provided for the trench-digging apparatus

12. It goes without saying that, when the device is implemented, the arms 2 and 3 are brought out of the platform of the wagon 1 and then brought into position as explained in the French patent.

It is understood that the arms 2 and 3 and the beams 8-11 are subjected to all the stresses generated during the digging of the trench. The stresses are all the greater when the ground is hard, or stony or even rocky. The arms and beams may be dimensioned so as to absorb the stresses but such dimensioning suffers limitations that are not compatible with industrial production.

This is the reason why the inventors have imagined rigidifying the structure so as to absorb most of the stresses encountered in practice.

This rigidification consists in positioning a linking element 12 between the apparatus 18 and the carrier wagon 1 itself. This element 12 is a sufficiently resilient to form a mechanically rigid assembly with the arms 2 and 3 and beams 8-11 able to withstand the stresses exerted when the trench is being dug. This element may be, in particular, a metal bar or metallic cable.

The attachment of this element 12 poses no particular problem in that it is linked on the one hand to a crossbar 13 welded onto the apparatus 18 and onto an upstream point of attachment 14 of the wagon 1 of the type that is a trunnion, hook or mounting angle.

This linking element 12 may be linked to elastic means or may be provided with intrinsic elasticity.

This elasticity is able to absorb the jolts in the stresses generated when passing, for example, from soft to hard ground, thereby conferring the device a certain amount of flexibility.

Various embodiments of these elastic means may be provided. They are integral either with the carrier wagon 1 or the linking element 12 itself.

Figure 1 illustrates a variant embodiment in which an additional linking element 15 is attached to a crossbar 16 welded onto the apparatus 18 and onto a downstream point of attachment 17 of the carrier wagon 1.

Thus, in this configuration, with a double upstream 12 and downstream 1 linking element, the strength and guidance of the apparatus 18 is improved. The reaction forces during the digging of the trench are absorbed for a large part by the linking elements 12 and 15.

Figure 2 shows a linking element 12 constituted by a metal type bar whose ends are each fitted with a ring, one 21 engaged in a hook 22 attached to the wagon 1 and the other 23 engaged in a trunnion 24 on the apparatus 18. The downstream linking element 15, should this embodiment be adopted, is attached in the same manner.

Figure 3 shows another variant embodiment in which the element 12 is meshed with drive means 19 attached to the wagon 1. The upstream element 12, which here is constituted by a cable, is wound around the shaft of the drive means. These drive means 19 exert a constant winding stress on the cable which is able to shorten or lengthen to absorb part of the strains. Naturally, the other end of the cable is attached to the apparatus 18, for example as shown in Figure

1.

An identical structure is provided for the downstream element 15 in relation with the drive means 20 to ensure identical functioning.

Figure 4 shows yet another variant embodiment of the linking element 12 here constituted by a metallic cable with a certain amount of elasticity and attached, firstly, to the apparatus 18 and secondly to the wagon 1. It goes without saying that the tension of this cable is initially adjusted so as to ensure the structure's rigidity. The linking element may be linked to elastic means. According to this embodiment, the elasticity of the elastic means is adjusted so as to ensure the structure's rigidity.

Whatever the embodiment of the upstream linking element

12, this may be provided with break monitoring means associated with an alarm. This is, for example, a sensor fixed onto it, which in relation with alarm means, enables the breaking point to be indicated when this has been reached so as to warn the personnel using the installation, thereby 10 ensuring their safety.

Claims

1. A device to reinforce the rigidity of an apparatus (18) to dig trenches in the ground so as to lay cables as it is being towed by a tow wagon (1), said apparatus (18) being

5 linked to the tow vehicle (1) by means of upstream (8, 9) and downstream (10, 11) beams attached to arms, respectively upstream (2) and downstream (3), hinged with respect to the tow vehicle, wherein it comprises a linking element (12, 15) positioned between said apparatus (18) and the tow vehicle 10 (1).

2. A reinforcement device according to Claim 1, wherein the linking element (12, 15) is a rigid element, in particular a meal bar or metallic cable.

3. A reinforcement device according to Claim 1, wherein 15 the linking element (12-15) is linked to elastic means (19,

20) .

4. A reinforcement device according to Claim 3, wherein the elastic means (19) are integral either with the tow vehicle (1) or with the linking element (12-15) itself.

20

5. A reinforcement device according to Claim 3, wherein the elastic means are constituted by drive means (19) onto which the linking element (12, 15) is meshed.

6. A reinforcement device according to one of the above Claims, wherein it incorporates an upstream linking element

25 (12) and a downstream linking element (15).

7. A reinforcement device according to Claim 6, wherein the upstream linking element (12) is of the rigid or elastic type and the downstream element (15) is of the rigid or elastic type.

30

8. A reinforcement device according to one of the above

Claims, wherein the upstream linking element (12) is fitted with break-monitoring means associated with an alarm.

Intellectual Property Office