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:
Jul. 12, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 11, 2007
Joseph M. Rohde, Saginaw, MI (US);
Richard A. Rohde, Saginaw, MI (US);
Robert L. Gilling, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
James R. Heim, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Michael J. Kenny, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Thomas A. Kenny, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Joseph M. Rohde, Saginaw, MI (US);
Richard A. Rohde, Saginaw, MI (US);
Robert L. Gilling, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
James R. Heim, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Michael J. Kenny, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Thomas A. Kenny, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Green Core Technologies, LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for forming an underground passageway and simultaneously laying therein a conduit or other elongate components comprises a rotary drill member coupled to a rotary and axially movable drill stem. The coupling is one which virtually automatically enables the drill stem to be coupled to and uncoupled from the drill member and comprises interlocking driving lugs carried by the drill stem and the drill member. The driving lugs are sandwiched between telescoped portions of the drill member and the drill stem and thereby are reinforced by such portions of the drill stem and the drill member in such manner as to preclude movement of the driving lugs in both radially inward and radially outward directions.