US3757529A

US3757529A - Wire and tape laying machine employing oscillatory trenching blade and oscillatory feed device

Info

Publication number: US3757529A
Application number: US00241000A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Kaercher
Original assignee: Jacobsen Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Jacobsen Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1972-04-04
Filing date: 1972-04-04
Publication date: 1973-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-11

Abstract

A self-propelled machine has a pair of main arms pivotally mounted at their upper ends and eccentric means for oscillating these arms forwardly and rearwardly as the machine traverses the ground. A cross member extends between the lower ends of the arms and supports a blade having a knife edge for cutting a slit or trench in the ground so that the blade is oscillated directly by the main arms and through the same angle as these arms. A pair of auxiliary arms are oscillated at a lesser amplitude than the main arms, the auxiliary arms also having a cross member extending between the lower ends thereof. The last-mentioned cross member supports a feed device. In one form, the device feeds a flexible wire to be embedded in the ground. In a somewhat modified form, the device feeds a flexible tape.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Kaercher, 31'.

1111 3,757,529 14 1 Sept. 11,1973

[75] Inventor: William C. Kaercher,Ir.,

Minneapolis. Minn.

[73] Assignee: Jacob sen Manufacturing Company;

Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed: Apr. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 241,000

Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Att rneyStuart R. Peterson [5 7] ABSTRACT A self-propelled machine has a pair of main arms pivotally mounted at their upper ends and eccentric means for oscillating these arms forwardly and rearwardly as the machine traverses the ground. A cross member extends between the lower ends of the arms and supports a blade having a knife edge for cutting a slit or trench in the ground so that the blade is oscillated directly by the main arms and through the same angle as these arms. A pair of auxiliary arms are oscillated at a lesser amplitude than the main arms, the auxiliary arms also having a cross member extending between the lower ends thereof. The last-mentioned cross member supports a feed device. In one form, the device feeds a flexible wire to be embedded in the ground. In a somewhat modified form, the device feeds a flexible tape.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures WIRE AND TAPE LAYING MACHINE EMPLOYING OSCILLATORY TRENCIIWG BLADE AND OSCILLATORY FEED DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to apparatus for embedding elongated flexible elements of indefinite length beneath the ground, and pertains more particularly to a machine in which the trench-cutting blade oscillates at one amplitude and a trailing device for feeding the flexible element oscillates at a lesser amplitude.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various machines have been devised for burying flexible elements, such as flexible tubing or piping, wire or cable, and also tape. These machines can be divided into two basic classifications. The first type is illustrated in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,424, granted Jan. 16, 1968 for MACHINE FOR BURYING FLEXIBLE PIPES AND THE LIKE" and my U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,495, granted Mar. 5, 1968 for CONDUIT EM- BEDDING MACHINE. As far as this type of machine is concerned, the elongated flexible element is pulled into the ground as the machine advances over the surface of the ground. v

In the second classification, the elongated element is fed either from a supply reel on the machine or from a stretch of the elongated element that has been placed along the grounds surface. Usually, in this latter category, the element is fed downwardly through the blade or plow which is cutting the trench. Of course, this requires a relatively thick blade in order to accommodate the element as it passes downwardly therethrough.

Where the blade oscillates, as far as the second type is concerned, then a problem ensues with respect to traction wheel slippage causing the machine to temporarily stop. The problem stems from the fact that the oscillatory blade continues to oscillate while the machine is stationary with the consequence that the wire or otherelongated element is repeatedly flexed back and forth, thereby causing either actual breakage, weakening, or reduction of electrical properties.

Where the blade does not oscillate, still describing the second general type, then considerably more power is needed to advance the machine and to simultaneously feed the elongated element into the trench or slit formed by the non-oscillatory blade or plow. This results in the equipment becoming rather massive, cumbersome and less maneuverable. Where these shortcomings are not objectionable, apparatus utilizing a non-oscillatory plow have been used, particularly where the cableor pipe is to be buried at an appreciable depth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide a machine for laying flexible elements of indefinite length that is compact and which will require a minimal amount of power. More specifically, it is planned that a blade be utilized that oscillates at a relatively great amplitude, say, on the order of two inches, and a trailing feed device that oscillates at a considerably reduced amplitude, say, from one-quarter to one-half inch. Owing to the lesser amplitude of the trailing device, when the machine stops for any reason the trenchforming blade continues to oscillate at its relatively large amplitude but the trailing device oscillates at only of elongated flexible elements, it being within the contemplation of the invention to use a basic feed device with auxiliary attachments which will enable the operator to lay wire, flexible tubing or other element possessing a generally circular or oval cross section in one instance, or via a change in certain parts constituting the feed device to lay flexible tape or ribbon having a generally flat configuration. It will be appreciated that flexible tape with warning information thereon is frequently used to denote theneamess of an embedded element, thereby cautioning workers in the area to be careful so they donot inadvertently dig up the embedded element. Flexible tape with metallic properties is also buried shallow over or near embedded elements in order to aid electromagnetic detection equipment in locating buried cable or conduit.

' Yet another object is to provide amachine for burying elongated flexible elements involving a dual oscillatory motion, there being one for the blade and one for the feed device, without adversely affecting the maneuverability of the machine. More specifically, the feed device is mounted so thatit will swivel as the machine advances along the ground.

A further object is to permit feeding of an elongated flexible element that has been previously laid along the grounds surface or to feed an elongated flexible element from a reel carried on the machine.

Still another object is to minimize the load or pressure applied to the trailing feed device. More specifically, the feed device can be constructed or fabricated from sheet metal, whereas the trench-forming blade can be of solid steel. having a thick cross section and thus quite rugged. In this way, the blade, which is subjected to relatively high impact loads, precedes the more fragile feeding device and thereby protects the feed device as the elongated element is being laid in the ground. Accordingly, by using this arrangement the feed device can be hollow to permit its function and can be manufactured at a lower cost and also rendered more versatile as far as its functioning is concerned.

Briefly, my invention envisages the employment of a blade that oscillates forwardly and rearwardly at one amplitude. A feed device trails the blades and oscillates at a considerably lesser amplitude. Consequently, when the machine stops for any reason, such as slippage of the traction wheels, the lesser oscillatory amplitude of the feed device, coupled with certain clearance, does not damage the elongated element being embedded. The feed device is constructed so as to accommodate wire, for example, in one instance, or a flexible tape, as an example, in another instance, only a few interchangeable parts being required to convert the machine for one type of element or the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view exemplifying a basic form of my invention, the trench-forming blade being raised and the feed device being in readiness for receiving certain parts enabling the machine to embed wire in one case or certain parts enabling the machine to lay a flexible tape in a second instance;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. 1 but with the blade and feed device extending into the ground as they would when laying or embedding an elongated flexible element, although the feed device still lacks the parts missing in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail taken in the direction of line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view corresponding generally to FIG. 2 but illustrating the feed device fully assembled for laying a flexible wire;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the feed device in the form depicted in FIG. 4 but with portions of the needle chute broken away in order to show to better advantage how the wire is fed downwardly into the trench that has been formed by the preceding blade (omitted from this view);

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken in the direction of line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4 but with the feed device modified for laying a flexible tape, and

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 but with the feed device modified as in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the machine exemplifying my invention has been denoted generally by the reference numeral 10. The machine 10 comprises a frame or chassis 12 having a rearwardly and upwardly inclining control handle 14 with hand grips at 15.

Toward the front of the machine on the chassis I2 is a power means in the form of a gasoline engine 16. At one side of the engine 16 is a drive pulley 18 about which is entrained a flexible belt 20, the belt 20 passing over an idler pulley 22 and then encircling adriven pulley 24. The driven pulley 24 is mounted on a horizontal shaft 26.

In its preferred embodiment, the machine It) is selfpropelled and for this purpose a gear train is connected between the shaft 26, being contained within. a casing 27. Thus, although the gear train is not illustrated, it will be understood that it extends downwardly to a front wheel shaft 28. The manner in which the machine 10 is driven via the gear mechanism in the housing 27 can be the same as depicted in my previously mentioned US. Pat. No. 3,371,495. However, it need only by appreciated that the shaft 28 is driven from the engine 16 through the concealed gear train. By suitably selecting gear ratios, the traction wheels 30 at the front of the chassis 12 can be rotated at a suitably low speed. A clutch or beIt-tensioning device may be employed to disengage the drive from the engine, being operated by a lever 31. Levers 32 having actuating rods 34 extending downwardly therefrom to the unpictured wheel clutches can be used to differentially disengage the drive to the wheels 30. This aids in steering and maneuvering the machine 10. Additional wheels of the castertype have been assigned the reference numeral 36, these wheels being generally beneath the hand grips 15 of the rearwardly extending control handle 24.

The machine 10 further includes a swingable or oscillatory U-frame or carrier indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. The frame or carrier 40 comprises a pair of what will be termed main arms 42 that are pivotally suspended from a transverse shaft dd. It will be understood that the shaft 44 is positionable within arcuate slots 46 in side portions of the chassis I2, there being a lifting lever 68 via which the shaft 44 can be shifted forwardly or rearwardly. When properly positioned, a locking lever 59 is tightened so as to hold the shaft 44 in its shifted position.

Each of the arms 62 is formed with an elongated vertical slot 52 providing parallel walls to which a pair of cam blocks 54 are attached, there being one pair of such blocks 54 for each arm 42. An eccentric bearing assembly 56 is mounted on each end of the shaft 26. In this way, when the eccentric bearing assembly 56 is located between the cam blocks 54, then the arms d2 are oscillated forwardly and rearwardly. This relationship prevails when the arms d2 are lowered into the position illustrated in FIG. 2 (and also FIGS. 4 and 7), this being when the shaft 44 is at the lower or rear ends of the arcuate slots 46. When the shaft is raised so that the shaft resides at the upper or forward ends of the slots 46, then the condition appearing in FIG. 1 prevails. From FIG. I, it will be appreciated that the eccentric bearing assembly 56 when spaced beneath the cam blocks 54 becomes ineffectual in that it does not act against the blocks 54 under these circumstances to oscillate the arms 42. The arms 42, it might be pointed out, ride over pins (not shown) when the arms are raised from the position depicted in FIG. 2 to that illustrated in FIG. 1, thereby maintaining the spaced relation of the assembly 56 appearing in FIG. 1 with respect to the sides of the slot 52. The alluded to oscillatory drive is further explained in the already identified two Kaercher patents.

As best discerned from FIGS. 4 and 7, a cross bar or plate 58 extends between the lower ends of the arms 42. The bar or plate 58 has detachably fastened thereto a vertically disposed blade 60 having a forward knife edge 52 and a body portion 64. The edge 62 cuts through the ground and performs a wedging action so that the body 64, which is relatively thick, can move forwardly through the ground in cutting the slit or trench referred to more fully hereinafter.

Playing an extremely important role in the practicing of the present invention is a pair of auxiliary arms 66. It is to be noted that the upper ends of the auxiliary arms 6d are not pivotally mounted on the shaft 44 as is the case of the main arms 42; instead, there is a pin 68 at each side of the machine 10 which is mounted in a lug 7t) integral with each main arm 42. Although indicated in dotted outline in FIGS. 1 and 2, the channeled shape configuration of the lower portions of the auxiliary arms 66 can be better seen in FIG. 3 and at the right in FIGS. 4 and 7. The groove extending downwardly throughout the lower portion of each arm 66 has been identified by the reference numeral 72.

A transverse rod 74, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, extends between parallel portions of the chassis l2, projecting laterally therefrom. The central portion of the rod 74 serves as a mounting means for the previously mentioned control handle 14. However, it is the projecting ends of the rod 74 that are of concern at the present moment. From FIG. 3 it will be seen that there is acollar 76 formed near the ends of the rod 74, the ends themselves being labeled 78 and constituting pivot pins which project into the groove 72. While not shown in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that a suitable bearing can be mounted on each pin or end 78 if circumstances so dictate.

In much the same manner as the plate orbar 58 extends between the lower ends of the main arms 42, a member in the form of a bar or rod 80 extends between the lower ends of the auxiliary arms 66. While it will become clearer when considering the operation of my machine 11), nonetheless at this stage it should be obvious that the auxiliary arms 66 are oscillated by the main arms 42 through the agency of the pins 68 so that the auxiliary arms 66 are pivoted about the rod ends 78 to cause the cross bar or rod 80 to oscillate back and forth at an amplitude considerably less than that of the cross bar or plate 58.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, there is a tubularsleeve 32 welded at 84 so as to assume a generally vertical relation. The purpose of this sleeve 82 is explained below.

At this time, attention is directed to what will be termed a feed device or needle assembly 86. It has a clevis 88 at its upper end. By means of a pin 90, the feed device or needle assembly 86 is mounted for swivel movement about a generally vertical axis provided by the sleeve 82, the clevis 88 and the connecting pin 90.

The device or assembly 86 further includes a sheet metal chute 92 reversely bent so as to provide a pair of side walls 94, a connecting curved front wall or bight 95, and a slot or channel 96 between the walls 94 via which the yet to be described elongated flexible element to be embedded in the ground is fed. There are aligned upper holes' at 98 in the side walls 94 and aligned inclined slots or notches 100 in the lower portion of the side walls 94. By reason of limit stops at 102, the angle through which the chute 92 can swivel is restricted about degrees to either side of a central position. I

A wire guide 164, as can be observed in H6. 5, has a straight shank portion 106, the upper end of the guide 104 being curved at 1118 and the lower ends thereof curved at 110. Welded near the beginning of the curved upper end 108 is a transverse tubular sleeve 1 12 forming an eye which accommodates a pin 114 insertable through the upper holes 98 in the side walls 94. A horizontal pin 116 is welded near the lower curved end 1 10 so as to be receivable in the inclined slots 1110 contained in the side walls 94. Consequently, all that need be done to remove the wire guide 104 is to take out the pin 114, thus enabling the user to swing the upper curved end 103 rearwardly out of the slot or channel 96 and then by simply raising the wire guide 104 the bottom transverse pin 116 can be removed from the inclined slots 100.

Although appearing in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inclusion of a pair of

wire eyes

118 and 120 can best be understood from what is set forth in FIGS. 4 and 7, these

eyes

118, 120 projecting laterally to the left; a similar pair may extend from the right. Also, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, there are two guide pulleys 122, one being disposed at the left and the other at the right, the right pulley 122 being used when there are

eyes

118, 120 at the right and are selected for use. A center pulley 124 is mounted on a shaft 126 serving a dual purpose as will hereinafter be made manifest.

At this time, attention is directed to an elongated flexible element in the form of a wire 128. As sometimes happens during winter weather, the ground becomes too frozen to permit the embedding of the wire 128 and it is simply laid along the surface of the ground, connected and then put in service while above ground. Under these circumstances at a later date when the ground is not frozen, the wire 128 is inserted in the eyes 118 and so that the machine 10 literally eats the wire as it moves along the ground in the performance of its embedding function. This can be done without disconnecting the wire or interrupting the service, this being an important feature of this invention. A laterally extending shaft 1130 enables the wire 128 to be contained on a reel 132. A similar shaft 130 can project from the right side of the chassis 12 as well. Inasmuch as the reel 132 can be of conventional construction, it need be only shown in phantom outline, which has been done in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be understood that the wire 128 can be laid on the surface of the ground or contained on the reel 132. In either event, it passes about the particular guide pulley 122 at either the left or right depending upon the side of the machine 10 where the wire 128 is located. It then is angled so as to pass about a segment of the center pulley 124 and in this way deflect it downwardly into the feed device or needle assembly 86 when containing the removable wire guide 104. Clearance at 134 between the wire 128 and curved wall 95 additionally assures that damage to the wire 128 will not develope. Consequently, the feed device or needle assembly 86 with the wire guide 104 installed therein constitutes one form of feeding device.

1n order to demonstrate the versatility of my machine 10, a reel of flexible tape 142 has been pictured in FIG.'7, the tape 142 being drawn from the reel 140 through a pair of guide fingers 144. The tape 142 contains a warning message thereon which instructs any person digging in the area to recognize that there is an embedded cable, wire or pipe generally below but in any event in the proximity of the tape.

Owing to the different characteristics of the tape 142 in contrast to the wire 128, there is employed a moditied feeddevice or needleassembly 86a comprising an auxiliary or second chute 146 having side panels 148 forming a slot or channel 150 therebetween. The auxiliary chute 146 has a pair of holes corresponding to the holes 98 in the side walls 94 of the casing 92. Thus, the same pin 1 14 is used to hold the upper end of the auxiliary chute 146 in place.

Within the slot or channel 150 of the auxiliary chute 146 is a tape guide 152. This tape guide 152 is in the form of a rod and the rod is simply welded in place so as to become a permanent part of the chute 146. The guide 152 has a transverse pin 154 integral with the lower end thereof, this transverse pin 154 projecting laterally into the inclined slots 1110. Just above the transverse pin 154 is a forwardly and upwardly sloping portion 156 of the guide 152, this being used for the deflection of the flexible tape 142 from a generally vertical direction which it assumes when being pulled from the reel 140 into an on edge horizontal position which it assumes when being laid in the ground, the changed direction being clearly shown in the lower portion of FIG. 8.

OPERATION it will be recognized that the shaft 44 is manually moved forwardly through the agency of the lifting lever 48 to the position in which it appears in FIG. 1. This raises the blade 60 and also the chute 92 as indicated in FIG. 1. Thus, the chute 92 of the feed device or needle assembly 86 is accessible.

Assuming that a wire 128 constitutes the elongated flexible element to be embedded, then a section of this wire is placed in the slot or channel 96 of the chute 92. This is done prior to inserting the wire guide 104. After the wire has been placed in the slot or channel 96, then the bottom pin 116 on the wire guide 104 is inserted in the inclined slots 100 and the wire guide 104 pivoted forwardly so that the tubular sleeve 112 adjacent its upper end is in alignment or registry with the holes 98 of the casing 92. When so aligned, the pin 114 can be inserted through the casing 92 by way of the holes 98 and through the tubular sleeve 112 so that the wire guide 104 is held within the slot or channel 96. As can be appreciated from FIG. and also from FIG. 6 of the wire 128 is held captive, although from FIG. 6 it will be seen that there is a sufficient amount of clearance between the wire guide 104 and the closed end of the slot or channel 96 so that the wire 128 can move freely downwardly. The wire guide 104 simply prevents the wire 128 from moving rearwardly out of the slot or channel 96. This arrangement constitutes the feed device or needle assembly 86 in contradistinction to the device or assembly 86a for laying the tape 142.

The foregoing procedure is followed irrespective of whether the wire 128 is laid along the surface of the ground or iswound on a supply reel 132. If laid along the surface of the ground, such as when the ground is frozen, then it is simply raised and passed through the

eyes

118 and 120, the

eyes

118, 120 having access openings for accommodating the wire 128.

The machine 10 is now in readiness for embedding the wire 128. Thus, with the engine 16 running, the operator by means of the hand grips tips the machine forwardly to raise the wheels 36 from the ground 160, thereby causing the front bumper 170 to rest on the ground. With the machine on its nose, the lifting lever 48 is pulled rearwardlyto the position in. which it appears in FIG. 2 and the locking lever 50 tightened. The lever 31 is then operated to cause the idler 22 to tighten the belt 20. The arms 42 then oscillate by reason of the assembly 56 being rotated in that the shaft 26 is now rotating. it will be appreciated that there is an eccentric bearing assembly 56 on each side, and that there are two cam blocks 54 on each arm 42. Consequently, the eccentricity developed by the bearing assembly 56 forces the arms 42 forwardly and rearwardly, thereby oscillating the blade 60 carried on the cross bar 58. It will be borne in mind that the shaft 44 serves as an axis about which the airms 42 swing. Thus, the travel of the blade 60 is magnified by virtue'of the moment arm produced by reason of the location where the eccentric bearing assembly 56 acts against the cam blocks 54. In actual practice, the blade 60 oscillates with an amplitude on the order of two inches. The operator now rocks the machine 10 back so that the wheels 36 again engage the ground 160, the blade 60 slicing into the ground as this is done. Actuation of the clutch levers 32 cause the wheels 30 to rotate and the machine 10 to start its advancement over the ground 160.

Simultaneously with the oscillatory motion imparted to the blade 60 is a reduced oscillatory motion transmitted to the feed device or needle assembly 86. It will be recalled that the device or assembly 86 is carried on the cross bar or rod 80 disposed at the lower ends of the auxiliary arms 66. The channeled configuration of the lower portions of the auxiliary arms 66 permit the arms 66 to move upwardly and downwardly when the lift handle 48 is actuated, the groove '72 in each auxiliary arm 66 enabling the arms to move even though the ends 78 of the transverse rod 74 project thereinto.

However, when the auxiliary arms 66 are oscillating, the ends 78 function as pivot points about which the auxiliary arms 66 oscillate. The upper ends of the auxiliary arms 66 are attached to the main arms 42 through the pins 68. Owing to the relatively short distance between the shaft 44 and the respective pins 68, the upper ends of the auxiliary arms 66 are swung back and forth only a small distance. This results in a lesser amplitude of swing imparted to the lower ends of the auxiliary arms 66 which carry the cross bar 80 and which also support the feed device or needle assembly 86.

Hence, a trench or slot labeled 162 is cut by the oscillating blade 60 as the machine 10 is advanced across the ground 160. The thickness of the blade 60 is sufficient so as to produce a slit or trench 162 wide enough for the passage of the feed device or needle assembly 86. Stated somewhat differently, the device or assembly 86 constitutes an oscillatory mechanism that feeds the wire 128 in increments due to the forward stroke of the assembly 86. Each time that the assembly 86 moves forwardly, the wire guide 104 acts against the particular section of the wire 128 contained in the slot or channel 96 of the chute 02 to pull a new portion of the wire 128 downwardly. The rearward travel of the device or assembly 86 simply permits relative movement thereof with respect to the wire 128.

Should the traction wheels 30 slip, then the lesser amplitude through which the feed device or needle assembly moves, being approximately 1/ 10th or l/20th that of the amplitude of the blade 60, is so minimal that the wire 128, helped by the clearance 134, is not flexed objectionably by the oscillatory movement of the feed device or needle assembly 86. If it should be recognized and remembered that the actual movement or amplitude is only on the order of from one-quarter to onehalf inch whereas the amplitude of movement of the blade 60 is approximately 2 inches. This decreased amplitude plus the clearance at 134 insures against the wire becoming damaged when the machine 10 stalls, as when slippage of the wheels 30 occurs. Yet the reduced oscillatory travel is sufficient to minimize the power, the load on the feed device or needle assembly 86 being appreciably lessened by reason of the slight oscillatory motion imparted thereto. This is particularly advantageous when laying wire or any other elongated flexible element in loose or sandy soil where the soil tends to refill the trench or slit 162 after it has been formed by the leading blade 60.

When the flexible tape 142 is to be buried, then the center pulley 124 is removed and the reel placed on the shaft 126. The tape 142 is threaded downwardly between the guide fingers 144.

it will be appreciated that the wire guide 104 is replaced with the auxiliary chute 146 to modify the feed device or needle assembly to what has previously been referred to as 86a. In other words, the feed device is changed by reason of the substitution of the auxiliary chute 146 for the wire guide 104. The auxiliary chute 146 has the transverse pin 154 which is merely inserted in the inclined slots 101) and by reason of the holes (not shown) in the side panels 148, the previously used pin 1 14 can be again employed to retain the auxiliary chute 146 in place.

Before actually applying the auxiliary chute 146 to the chute 92 in the foregoing manner, the flexible tape 142 may be further threaded down between the side panels 148 of the chute and then deflected-about the sloping portion 156 of the guide rod 152. The guide rod 152, owing to the sloping portion 156, deflects the tape 142 from a substantially vertical direction into the horizontal direction that it assumes in FIG. 7. Although the trench or slot 162 is virtually the ,same in FIG. 7, inasmuch as it is intended to contain the tape 142, it has been given the reference numeral 162a in FIG. 7. The function of the side panels 148 is to protect the tape 142 from trash and other debris at the'surface of the ground that would otherwise be apt. to interfere with the laying of the tape 142 as it is pulled from the superimposed reel 1 30.

Although believed obvious, the tape 142 can have virtually any warning information printed thereon which will admonish anyone starting to dig in the vicinity of a buried cable, pipe or wire that there is the particular flexible elongated element buried there. The detection type tape by reason of the metal therein will also aid in the use of electronic detectors for locating the buried elements. The tape 142 can be emplaced to either side of the embedded elongated element or two tapes 142 can be buried, one spaced to each side. On the other hand, if the embedded element is deep enough, then the machine 10 when modified for embedding the tape 142 can pass directly over the buried item, this usually being done after a refilling of the trench in which the element is buried or after the trench has been at least partially refilled. This assures that the tape 142 does not gravitationally drop beneath a desired depth. 1

While it will be appreciated that the horsepower rating of the engine 16 is partially responsible for the depth at which an elongated element can be laid, whether it be the wire 128 or tape 142, it can be stated that in actual practice the machine 10 usually lays the elongated element at a depth of approximately 10 inches. When the blade 61) is longer than this, then the horsepower must be increased to overcome the increase in resistance created by the added soil that must be passed through.

In any event, the reduced amplitude of the feed device, whether it be the assembly 86 (plus the clearance 134 when containing the wire guide 104) or the assembly 86a (when containing the auxiliary chute 146), makes it such that no damage is done to the elongated element if the machine 10 stops. This is particularly desirable when the elongated element constitutes a wire or cable, or even a plastic pipe, where the continued flexing would be likely to cause breakage, or at least some fatigue, of the metal or plastic constituting the flexible elongated element.

I claim:

1. A machine for burying an elongated flexible element of indefinite length beneath the ground, the machine comprising a wheeled frame, a blade member extending downwardly from said frame, means for oscillating said blade member with respect to the frame to cut a trench in the ground as said frame advances thereover, said means for oscillating said blade member including a pair of side arms pivotally supported adjacent their upper ends on a transverse axis provided by said wheeled frame, a device also extending downwardly from said frame in a trailing relation behind said blade member via which the elongated element to be buried is fed, and means for also oscillating said feed device as said wheeled frame advances across the ground, said means for oscillating said feed device being connected to said arms at a location near said axis to provide a lesser oscillatory amplitude than that of said blade member as said blade member and feed device oscillate forwardly and rearwardly.

2. The machine defined in claim 1 in which said means for oscillating said feed device includes a pair of auxiliary arms, each auxiliary arm being pivotally connected at its upper end to one of the main arms.

3. The machine defined in claim 2 in which portions of said auxiliary arms are channel-shaped, and a horizontal pin on each side of the frame projecting into each channeled portion at a location intermediate the upper ends of said auxiliary arms and the lower ends thereof about which said auxiliary arms are oscillated.

4. The machine defined in claim 2 in which said feed device includes a chute having a rearwardly directed slot, and a guide member removably disposed in said slot for deflecting the elongated element to be buried downwardly and then horizontally into the trench formed by said blade member.

5. The machine defined inclaim 4 in which the sides of said chute have horizontally aligned upper holes and horizontally aligned lower inclined slots or notches, said guide member having an upper eye and a lower laterally projecting pin attached thereto, said feed device further including a removable pin insertable through said upper holes and said eye when said lower pin is received in said slots or notches.

6. The machine defined in claim 5 in which the lower end of said guide member is curved for deflecting said elongated elementfrom a generally vertical direction into a generally horizontal direction in the trench formed by said blade member.

7. The machine defined in claim 2 in which said feed device includes a main chute having a rearwardly directed slot, an auxiliary chute removably disposed in said slot having aguide member therein for deflecting the elongated element to be buried downwardly into the trench formed by said blade member.

8. The machine defined in claim 7 in which the sides of said main chute have aligned upper holes and horizontally aligned lower inclined slots or notches, said auxiliary chute having side panels containing upper holes alignable with the upper holes of said main chute, a removable pin insertable through the holes of said main chute and the holes of said auxiliary chute, a rod member fixedly contained in said auxiliary chute having its lower end projecting beneath the sides of said auxiliary chute, and a laterally projecting pin on the lower end of said rod member receivable in said slots or notches.

9. The machine defined in claim 8 in which said rod member has a sloping portion for deflecting said. elongated member from a generally vertical direction into a generally horizontal direction in the trench formed by said blade member. v

10. A machine for burying an elongated flexible element of indefinite length-beneath the ground, the machine comprising a wheeled frame, first oscillating means, a blade member extending downwardly from said first oscillating means, second oscillating means, and a feed device also extending downwardly from said said second oscillating means in a trailing relation behind said blade member, said first and second oscillating means being mounted for oscillation about spaced transverse axes, means connecting said second oscillating means to said first oscillating means at a location nearer the transverse axis about which said first oscillating means oscillates than the transverse axis about which said second oscillating means oscillates, said device including a chute and guide means in said chute for deflecting the flexible element from a generally vertical direction into a generally horizontal direction.

11. The machine defined in claim in whichsaid guide means constitutes a rod having an angled portion for deflecting the elongated element, said elongated element passing between one side of said chute and about said angled portion.

12. The machine defined in claim 11 in which said feed means includes an additional chute having a channel therein sufficiently wide to receive the closed portion of said first chute.

13. The machine defined in claim 12 in which the sides of said additional chute have inclined slots, said rod having a transverse pin integral with the lower end thereof receivable in said slots, and the sides of both chutes having registrable holes in the upper portions thereof for accommodating a removable pin when said holes are aligned.

14. The machine defined in claim 13 in which the sides of said first chute constitute panels projecting beyond the sides of said additional chute between which said elongated element passes when moving in its said generally vertical direction.

15. A machine for burying an elongated flexible element of indefinite length beneath the ground, the machine comprising a wheeled frame, first arm means mounted on said frame for oscillating movement about one transverse axis, a blade member extending downwardly from said first arm means, power means for oscillating said first arm means with respect to the frame to cause said blade member to cut a trench in the ground as said frame advances thereover, second arm means mounted on said frame for oscillating movement about a second transverse axis rearwardly of said first transverse axis, a feed device extending downwardly from said second arm means via which the elongated element to be buried is fed, and means connecting said second arm means to said first arm means at a locus spaced from said first and second axes, the distance between said first axis and said connection locus being less than the distance between said seocnd axis and said connection locus, whereby said feed device oscillates at a lesser amplitude than said blade member.

Claims

5. The machine defined in claim 4 in which the sides of said chute have horizontally aligned upper holes and horizontally aligned lower inclined slots or notches, said guide member having an upper eye and a lower laterally projecting pin attached thereto, said feed device further including a removable pin insertable through said upper holes and said eye when said lower pin is received in said slots or notches.

6. The machine defined in claim 5 in which the lower end of said guide member is curved for deflecting said elongated element from a generally vertical direction into a generally horizontal direction in the trench formed by said blade member.

7. The machine defined in claim 2 in which said feed device includes a main chute having a rearwardly directed slot, an auxiliary chute removably disposed in said slot having a guide member therein for deflecting the elongated element to be buried downwardly into the trench formed by said blade member.

9. The machine defined in claim 8 in which said rod member has a sloping portion for deflecting said elongated member from a generally vertical direction into a generally horizontal direction in the trench formed by said blade member.

10. A machine for burying an elongated flexible element of indefinite length beneath the ground, the machine comprising a wheeled frame, first oscillating means, a blade member extending downwardly from said first oscillating means, second oscillating means, and a feed device also extending downwardly from said said second oscillating means in a trailing relation behind said blade member, said first and second oscillating means being mounted for oscillation about spaced transverse axes, means connecting said second oscillating means to said first oscillAting means at a location nearer the transverse axis about which said first oscillating means oscillates than the transverse axis about which said second oscillating means oscillates, said device including a chute and guide means in said chute for deflecting the flexible element from a generally vertical direction into a generally horizontal direction.

11. The machine defined in claim 10 in which said guide means constitutes a rod having an angled portion for deflecting the elongated element, said elongated element passing between one side of said chute and about said angled portion.