Lateral boring system

Abstract

A lateral boring device for effective utility installation under sidewalks, driveways, and other obstacles. The present invention utilizes a hand-held drill, a flexible shaft, a blade attachable to the flexible shaft, and a metal sock. The operator of the present invention makes an incision into the ground with the blade in close proximity to the obstacle intended to be circumvented. The operator commences boring, and the flexible shaft begins to descend below the ground and underneath the obstacle. The low power of the drill prevents the flexible shaft from continuing to descend below the hardpan, and cause the flexible shaft to bend in a generally upwardly horizontal direction. The low power of the drill also prevents the flexible shaft or the blade from causing damage to the underside of the obstacle, and eventually the flexible shaft resurfaces on the opposite side of the obstacle. Upon resurfacing, the operator removes the blade and attaches the sock, which can be coupled to the length of wire, pipe or conduit and pulled back through the bore hole.

1 . A lateral boring device, comprising: 
 a flexible shaft;    a drill bit attached to said flexible shaft; and    a hand-held drive assembly;    said hand-held drive assembly capable of providing power for rotation and thrust sufficient to move said flexible shaft through soil and insufficient to move said flexible shaft through rock or concrete.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shaft is formed from structural reinforcement bars.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shaft is formed from medium gage steel.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shaft is formed from light gage steel.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible shaft includes plurality of shafts, coupled together to increase the length of the borehole.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said drill bit is formed from: 
 two washers secured to one another at an angle to one another.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device further includes: 
 a sock attachment for engagement on said flexible shaft; and    an attachment device on said sock attachment for securing an object to be pulled through the hole created by said device.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device further includes: 
 an adapter for attaching said flexible shaft to said drive assembly.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device further includes: 
 an attachment mechanism for removably securing said drill bit to said flexible shaft.    
   
   
       10 . A method for boring underneath a hard surface, comprising; 
 positioning a bit attached to a flexible shaft adjacent to a hard surface, and angling the shaft in a generally downwardly horizontal direction;    coupling said flexible shaft to a hand-held power device for providing rotation and thrust to said flexible shaft;    driving said flexible shaft beneath a hard surface until said flexible shaft begins to bend in a generally upwardly horizontal direction; and    continuing to drive said flexible shaft beneath a hard surface until said flexible shaft either surfaces or contacts the underside of the hard surface, causing said flexible shaft to slide horizontally until it surfaces on the other side.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said method further includes: 
 retrieving an object through the hole that has been created by attaching the object to said flexible shaft; and    retracting said flexible shaft from underneath the hard surface.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said step of retrieving an object further includes: 
 securing a sock attachment to said flexible shaft; and    engaging the object with said sock attachment.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said method further includes: 
 attaching additional lengths of flexible shafts to said flexible shaft to extend the length of the hole being bored.