Digging lance with adjustable vavle handle & methods

Abstract

A digging lance for hydro excavation includes an extension pipe, a nozzle, and a valve handle. The valve handle is adjustably attached to the extension pipe, and is selectively movable along a length of the extension pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digging lance for hydro excavation; the digging lance comprising:
 (a) an extension pipe having opposite first and second ends; the first end being configured to connect with a source of fluid;   (b) a nozzle attached to the second end of the extension pipe; the nozzle configured to deliver pressurized fluid at a target; and   (c) a valve handle in fluid communication with the extension pipe and the source of fluid; the valve handle being adjustably attached to the extension pipe, wherein the valve handle is selectively movable along a length of the extension pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The digging lance of  claim 1 , further including a clamp arrangement adjustably securing the valve handle to the extension pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The digging lance of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp arrangement comprises a clamp block supporting a portion of the valve handle or a fitment extending from the valve handle; and a clamp jaw holding the extension pipe; the clamp block engaging against the clamp jaw. 
     
     
         4 . The digging lance of  claim 3 , further including:
 (a) a latch having a handle and a catch; the latch being secured to the clamp block;   (b) a hook extending from the clamp jaw;   wherein the catch on the latch is engageable with the hook, by moving the handle.   
     
     
         5 . The digging lance of  claim 3 , wherein the clamp block includes a pair of clamp blocks. 
     
     
         6 . The digging lance of  claim 3 , further including a half-clamp slidably securing the valve handle to the extension pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The digging lance of  claim 3 :
 (a) wherein the clamp jaw and the clamp block together form a pipe aperture holding the extension pipe; and   (b) further including a threaded assembly secured to the clamp block; the threaded assembly being adjustable to tighten or loosen the pipe aperture around the extension pipe.   
     
     
         8 . The digging lance of  claim 3 :
 (a) wherein the clamp jaw and the clamp block together form a pipe aperture holding the extension pipe; a size of the pipe aperture being adjustable by relative movement between the clamp jaw and clamp block; and   (b) further including a cam lever to tighten or loosen the pipe aperture around the extension pipe.   
     
     
         9 . The digging lance of  claim 1 , wherein the valve handle is a shutoff valve handle having a trigger; the trigger allowing flow or stopping flow of fluid through the extension pipe and nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The digging lance of  claim 1 , further including:
 (a) a first hose with a first end in communication with the fluid source, and a second end attached to an inlet end of the valve handle; and   (b) a second hose with a first end attached to an outlet end of the valve handle; the second hose having a second end attached to the first end of the extension pipe.   
     
     
         11 . The digging lance of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the extension pipe is at least 3 feet long; and   (b) the nozzle delivers a flow of from 3-10 gallons/minute.   
     
     
         12 . A method of using a digging lance for hydro excavation; the digging lance having an extension pipe having opposite first and second ends; the first end being configured to connect with a source of fluid; a nozzle attached to the second end of the extension pipe; the nozzle configured to deliver pressurized fluid at a target; and a valve handle in fluid communication with the extension pipe and the source of fluid; the method comprising:
 adjusting a position of the valve handle along a length of the extension pipe, and then securing the valve handle in a selected position.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 (a) using pressurized water from the digging lance to move soil and create a hole;   (b) putting the nozzle and a portion of the extension pipe in the hole; and   (c) adjusting the position of valve handle along the extension pipe away from the hole.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein adjusting the position of the valve handle includes:
 (a) releasing a latch secured to a clamp arrangement holding the valve handle and the extension pipe;   (b) moving the valve handle to the selected position; and   (c) engaging the latch to secure the valve handle in the selected position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein adjusting the position of the valve handle includes:
 (a) releasing a threaded assembly secured to a clamp arrangement holding the valve handle and the extension pipe;   (b) moving the valve handle to the selected position; and   (c) tightening the threaded assembly to secure the valve handle in the selected position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein adjusting the position of the valve handle includes:
 (a) releasing a cam lever secured to a clamp arrangement holding the valve handle and the extension pipe;   (b) moving the valve handle to the selected position; and   (c) engaging the cam lever to secure the valve handle in the selected position.   
     
     
         17 . A digging lance for hydro excavation; the digging lance comprising:
 (a) an extension pipe having opposite first and second ends; the first end being configured to connect with a source of fluid;   (b) a nozzle attached to the second end of the extension pipe; the nozzle configured to deliver pressurized fluid at a target;   (c) a valve handle in fluid communication with the extension pipe and the source of fluid; the valve handle being selectively movable along a length of the extension pipe; and   (d) means for adjustably securing the valve handle to the extension pipe.   
     
     
         18 . The digging lance of  claim 17 , wherein the valve handle is a shutoff valve handle having a trigger; the trigger allowing flow or stopping flow of fluid through the extension pipe and nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The digging lance of  claim 17 , further including:
 (a) a first hose with a first end in communication with the fluid source, and a second end attached to an inlet end of the valve handle; and   (b) a second hose with a first end attached to an outlet end of the valve handle; the second hose having a second end attached to the first end of the extension pipe.   
     
     
         20 . The digging lance of  claim 17 , wherein:
 (a) the extension pipe is at least 3 feet long; and   (b) the nozzle delivers a flow of from 3-10 gallons/minute.