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:
Mar. 04, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 06, 1995
Peter C Rozendaal, Pella, IA (US);
Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US);
Abstract
An underground boring machine including an automatic pipe loading apparatus. A plurality of pipes are gravity fed through a discharge opening at a lower end of a magazine combining several columns of pipe. A selection member has a plurality of pipe receiving pockets, equal in number to the columns present in the magazine. The selection member can be in one of a first position wherein a first pipe receiving pocket is aligned with a first column or a second position wherein the first pipe receiving pocket is moved towards the machine. A pick-and-place lever arm picks a pipe from the first pipe receiving pocket and transports the pipe towards the machine. Lift-up arms selectively support the pipes within the magazine.