The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 25, 1995
Steven W Wentworth, Brookfield, WI (US);
Robert Crane, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Mark Randa, Muskego, WI (US);
Earth Tool Corporation, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Abstract
A pneumatic ground piercing tool according to the invention has a reversing mechanism provided as part of the air distributing mechanism. Such a tool includes an elongated tubular housing having a rear opening, a head assembly including an anvil, a striker disposed for reciprocation within an internal chamber of the housing to impart impacts to a rear impact surface of the anvil for driving the body through the ground, an air distributing mechanism for effecting reciprocation of the striker, and a tail assembly mounted in a rear end opening of the housing that secures the striker and air distributing mechanism in the housing. In one embodiment, the outer bushing of the valve sleeve can slide a short distance relative to the air supply tube and has an intermediate radial port which selectively communicates with the air supply conduit. The valve sleeve also includes a detent mechanism for securing the air supply tube in its forward or reverse position. A biasing device such as an resilient tube biases the detent mechanism to an unlocked position when the compressed air is off, and is overcome by air pressure so that the detent assumes a locked position when the compressed air is on.