Apparatus for digging trenches

Abstract

An apparatus for digging a trench including (a) a substantial vertical guide means ( 2 ); (b) mounting means ( 4 ) connected to the guide means ( 2 ) and movable substantially parallel to the guide means ( 2 ); (c) first drive means to move the mounting means ( 4 ) relative to the guide means ( 2 ); (d) a chain digger attachment ( 1 ) including an elongated frame ( 5 ) and a continuous digging chain ( 6 ) substantially surrounding the periphery of the frame ( 5 ), the attachment ( 1 ) being pivotally connected at or adjacent one of its ends to the mounting means ( 4 ); (e) second drive means ( 15 ) to rotate the continuous digging chain ( 6 ) about the frame ( 5 ); and (f) third drive means ( 24 ) to pivot the attachment ( 1 ) about the mounting means ( 4 ).

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for digging a trench including: 
 (a) a substantial vertical guide means;    (b) mounting means connected to the guide means and movable substantially parallel to the guide means;    (c) first drive means to move the mounting means relative to the guide means;    (d) a chain digger attachment including an elongated frame and a continuous digging chain substantially surrounding the periphery of the frame, the attachment being pivotally connected at or adjacent one of its ends to the mounting means;    (e) second drive means to rotate the continuous digging chain about the frame; and    (f) third drive means to pivot the attachment about the mounting means.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to    claim 1   , wherein the guide means is a frame along which the mounting means slides.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to either    claim 1    or    claim 2   , wherein the guide means is telescoped.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to    claim 2   , wherein the frame includes at least two sections which slide within each other to allow telescopic extension and retraction.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of any one of    claims 1    to    4    wherein the third drive means is adapted to pivot the attachment about the mounting means through up to 180 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to any one of    claims 1    to    5   , including fourth drive means to move the mounting means transversely of the guide means.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of    claim 6    including fifth drive means interposed between the fourth drive means and the mounting means to move the mounting means transversely of the guide means.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of any one of    claims 1    to    7   , wherein the mounting means is a platform.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of    claim 8   , wherein: 
 (a) the platform further includes brackets; and    (b) the frame further includes slots, wherein in use the brackets engage in and around the slots to support the platform at a predetermined height.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of any one of    claims 1    to    9   , wherein the chain digger attachment is an auger.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of any one of    claims 1    to    10   , wherein the digger chain includes a plurality of cutting scoops.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of    claim 11   , wherein the digger chain includes a plurality of cutting scoops evenly spaced around the periphery of the attachment.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 11    or    claim 12   , wherein the leading edges of the scoops are sharpened.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of any one of    claims 1    to    13    wherein the first, second, third, fourth and/or fifth drive means are hydraulically driven.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for digging a trench substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.