Walk behind trencher for limited depth installations

Abstract

This invention relates to mechanized drive units and a trenching attachment thereto for installing low-voltage wire, cable or fiber optic media. It is specifically an improved mechanized drive unit and attachment that can vary its driving speed and trenching speed independently, and have an extremely narrow width of cut so as to vastly improve the cutting operation. Additionally, it improves the operation in existing residential or light commercial installations by being small and having an improved turning radius as to better negotiate and maneuver. Lastly, it improves the consistency of wire and cable installation by forcing the installed media to the maximum depth tightly in proximity to the cutting operation itself.

1 . An apparatus for installing small wires and cables underground that comprises: 
 A. handlebars placed in a manner that allows the operator to safely push and guide said apparatus;    B. a driving mechanism;    C. a hydraulic pump installed so that said driving mechanism's motorization causes the oil of the pump to flow;    D. a trenching mechanism;    E. a hydraulic motor installed in said trenching mechanism in such a manner that its speed is controlled separately from the speed of said driving mechanism;    F. a trenching blade that is made from the abrasion-resistant group of metals or some similar material; that has carbide, or some other type of teeth that are machined, cast, molded, welded or otherwise incorporated into said trenching blade; and that is connected to said trenching mechanism;    G a wire feeder that is connected to said trenching mechanism in a manner that allows the wire to be fed into the trench after said trenching blade has cut the trench;    H. one or more spool-holders that are connected to said apparatus in a manner that allows the wire, cable, or similar material to flow from its source to said wire feeder and from said wire feeder into the trench;    I. a pivoting device that connects said driving mechanism to said trenching mechanism and allows for the oil from the pump in said driving mechanism to flow to the hydraulic motor in said trenching mechanism;    J. a gauge wheel connected to said apparatus in such a manner that allows for said gauge wheel to adjust the height of said trenching blade and said wire feeder whereby the wire, cable, or similar material can be placed at the bottom of the trench, and easily inserted and/or removed without cutting or damaging the said wire, cable, or similar material; and whereby said gauge wheel can be dropped into a caster position allowing said trenching blade to be free of the ground while walking to or from the work site;    Whereby said apparatus in  claim 1  can vary its driving speed and trenching speed independently, vary its trenching depth and width, and easily negotiate turns.    
   
   
       2 . Said trenching blade in  claim 1  that cuts a trench from 5/16″ to ⅜″ wide.  
   
   
       3 . Said trenching blade in  claim 1  that cuts a trench from 9/16″ to ⅝″ wide.  
   
   
       4 . Said trenching blade in  claim 1  that cuts a trench from 1″ to 1¼″ wide.  
   
   
       5 . Said trenching blade in  claim 1  controlled by a lever that allows the blade to rotate either forward (in the same direction as the wheels) or backward (in the opposite direction of the wheels); whereby said trenching blade can easily cut under normal trenching conditions such as lawn, gravel driveways, hard packed clay, etc. when said trenching blade is required to turn backward; and whereby, under other trenching conditions, such as swampy lake shore areas or soggy fresh fill, said trenching blade may be required to turn forward.  
   
   
       6 . Said handlebars in  claim 1  designed to be folded down; whereby said apparatus in  claim 1  can be stored and shipped with ease.  
   
   
       7 . Said handlebars in  claim 1  designed to pivot; whereby the operator may trench under low hanging branches or along wire or wooden fences while the operators is in the clear.  
   
   
       8 . Said driving mechanism in  claim 1  controlled by a lever that allows said driving mechanism to operate at a variable speed; whereby the operator may select a speed from 0 to a comfortable walking speed without gear shifting.  
   
   
       9 . A unit for installing small wires and cables underground that attaches to an apparatus comprising of: 
 A. a trenching mechanism;    B. a hydraulic motor installed in said trenching mechanism in such a manner that its speed is controlled separately from the speed of the driving mechanism;    C. a trenching blade that is made from the abrasion-resistant group of metals or some similar material; that has carbide, or some other type of teeth that are machined, cast, molded, welded or otherwise incorporated into said trenching blade; and that is connected to said trenching mechanism;    D a wire feeder that is connected to said trenching mechanism in a manner that allows the wire to be fed into the trench after said trenching blade has cut the trench;    E. one or more spool-holders that are connected to said unit in a manner that allows the wire, cable, or similar material to flow from its source to said wire feeder and from said wire feeder into the trench;    F. a pivoting device that connects said unit to said trenching apparatus;    G. a gauge wheel connected to said unit in such a manner that allows for said gauge wheel to adjust the height of said trenching blade and said wire feeder whereby the wire, cable, or similar material can be placed at the bottom of the trench, and easily inserted and/or removed without cutting or damaging the said wire, cable, or similar material; and whereby said gauge wheel can be dropped into a caster position allowing said trenching blade to be free of the ground while walking to or from the work site;    Whereby said unit in  claim 9  can vary its driving speed and independently from the trenching apparatus's speed, vary its trenching depth and width, and easily negotiate turns.    
   
   
       10 . Said trenching blade in  claim 9  that cuts a trench from 5/16″ to ⅜″ wide.  
   
   
       11 . Said trenching blade in  claim 9  that cuts a trench from 9/16″ to ⅝″ wide.  
   
   
       12 . Said trenching blade in  claim 9  that cuts a trench from 1″ to 1¼″ wide.  
   
   
       13 . Said trenching blade in  claim 9  controlled by a lever that allows the blade to rotate either forward (in the same direction as the wheels) or backward (in the opposite direction of the wheels); whereby said trenching blade can easily cut under normal trenching conditions such as lawn, gravel driveways, hard packed clay, etc. when said trenching blade is required to turn backward; and whereby, under other trenching conditions, such as swampy lake shore areas or soggy fresh fill, said trenching blade may be required to turn forward.