Underground Cable Laying Apparatus

Abstract

Presented is an underground cable laying apparatus that leaves virtually no visible scar in the turf under which a linear member may be installed. The apparatus utilizes a turf slicing apparatus comprising at least one slicing wheel operably coupled to a mounting yoke. The apparatus has a linear member guide formed by the mounting yoke. A guide cover is adapted to cover a length of the linear member guide and movable between a first position to cover a length of the linear member guide and a second position to open the length of the linear member guide. At least one turf wheel may be connected to the guide cover and adapted to substantially close the slit created by the turf slicing apparatus.

1 . An underground cable laying apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting yoke;    a turf slicing apparatus comprising at least one slicing wheel operably coupled to the mounting yoke:    a linear member guide supported by the mounting yoke; and    a guide cover adapted to cover a length of the linear member guide and movable between a first position to cover the length of the linear member guide and a second position to open the length of the linear member guide.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the turf slicing apparatus comprises a pair of turf slicing wheels.  
   
   
       3  The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pair of turf slicing wheels are angularly displaced relative to each other.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the guide cover comprises a guide radius disposed at an underground portion of the guide cover, wherein the guide radius is adapted to guide the linear member underground.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the guide cover comprises at least one turf wheel rotatably connected to the guide cover.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the guide cover comprises a plurality of apertures for connecting the turf wheel to the guide cover for use of the turf wheel with the turf slicing apparatus at a plurality of slicing depths.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a vibratory member supported by the mounting yoke and adapted to vibrate the slicing wheels.  
   
   
       8 . An underground linear member laying apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting yoke;    a pair of turf slicing wheels rotatably coupled to the mounting yoke;    a linear member guide comprising a first plate and a second plate both connected to the mounting yoke to form a channel having an open length; and    a guide cover connectable to the linear member guide and adapted to cover the open length of the channel.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the pair of turf slicing wheels are angularly displaced relative to each other.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a vibratory member supported by the mounting yoke and adapted to vibrate the pair of turf slicing wheels.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the guide cover comprises a turf wheel rotatably connected to the guide cover.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the guide cover comprises a plurality of apertures for connecting the turf wheel to the guide cover for use of the turf wheel with the pair of turf sluicing wheels at a plurality of slicing depths.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the guide cover is disposed between the first plate and the second plate when covering the open length of the channel.  
   
   
       14 . A method for installing a linear member underground comprising: 
 providing at least one turf slicing wheel, a linear member guide disposed aft of the at least one turf slicing wheel, and a removable guide cover adapted to cover an open length of the linear member guide, and at least one turf wheel disposed aft of the linear member guide;    inserting the linear member into the linear member guide;    securing the removable guide cover to the linear member guide to secure the linear member within the open length of the linear member guide;    moving the at least one turf slicing wheel along a desired installation path to open a portion of the desired installation path;    passing the linear member through the open length of the linear member guide and into an underground position; and    rolling the at least one turf wheel along the desired installation path to close the open portion of the desired installation path.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising vibrating the at least one turf slicing wheel during movement of the turf slicing wheel along the desired installation path.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting a generally vertical position of the at least one turf wheel relative to the at least one turf slicing wheel.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the turf slicing apparatus comprises a pair of angularly displaced turf slicing wheels, the method further comprising vibrating the pair of turf slicing wheels.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for installing a linear member underground, the apparatus comprising: 
 a mounting yoke;    a pair of turf slicing wheels rotatably coupled to the mounting yoke, the turf slicing wheels defining a forward contact area there between;    a linear member guide connected to the mounting yoke and positioned aft of the forward contact area of the turf slicing wheels, the linear member guide comprising an open length;    a guide cover movable to close the open length of the linear member guide in a first position and to open the open length of the linear member in a second position; and    at least one turf closing wheel rotatably mounted to the guide cover.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the linear member guide comprises: 
 a first plate connected to the mounting yoke to define a first wall of the linear member guide; and    a second plate connected to the mounting yoke defining a second wall of the linear member guide opposing the first plate.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the guide cover comprises a guide radius disposed at an underground portion of the guide cover; wherein the guide radius is adapted to guide the linear member underground.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a vibratory member supported by the mounting yoke and adapted to vibrate the pair of turf slicing wheels.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the guide cover comprises a plurality of apertures for connecting the turf wheel to the guide cover for use of the turf wheel with the pair of turf slicing wheels at a plurality of slicing depths.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for installing a plurality of linear members underground, the apparatus comprising: 
 a work machine comprising a frame member pulled behind the work machine;    a plurality of turf slicing devices for installing a linear member underground, wherein each device comprises a mounting yoke coupled to the frame member and laterally displaced from the mounting yokes of adjacent devices so that the plurality of linear members are installed underground substantially parallel to each other; wherein each turf slicing device comprises: 
 a pair of turf slicing wheels rotatably coupled to the mounting yoke;  
 a guide member connected to the mounting yoke and comprising an open length adapted to guide the linear member underground; and  
 a guide cover movable between a first position to cover the open length of the guide member and a second position to open the open length of the guide member.  
   
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the work machine further comprises at least one vibratory member adapted to vibrate each pair of turf slicing wheels.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  further comprising at least one turf wheel rotatably connected to the guide cover.