Mechanical pig pusher

Abstract

A mechanical device that is used to prevent injury to workers that are handling pigs during launch insertion into a pipe. The mechanical device is attached to a large piece of construction equipment so that workers do not have to handle the pig.

Claims

1. A mechanical pig pusher, said mechanical pig pusher comprising a metal support holder consisting of: A. a metal backer support plate, said metal backer support plate having at least four through openings therein and a front surface; B. a metal top support plate, said metal top support plate having a plurality of through openings on a leading edge thereof, said metal top support plate being rigidly fixed to said front surface of said metal backer support plate; C. a metal bottom support plate, said metal bottom support plate having a plurality of through openings on a leading edge thereof, said metal bottom support plate being rigidly fixed to said front surface of said metal backer support a predetermined distance apart and parallel with said metal top support plate, said through openings in said metal top support plate and said metal bottom support plate being vertically aligned with each other; D. an adapter, insertable between said metal top support plate and said metal bottom support plate, said adapter having at least two vertical through holes to receive keeper pins, said adapter having a metal end cap flange at a back end and a metal plate cap at a front end, said metal end cap flange and said metal plate cap have a plurality of through openings along an outside edge; E. one said keeper pin insertable in any of said vertically aligned through holes, a second said keeper pin insertable in additional through holes centered in said metal top support plate and metal bottom support plate, both said keeper pins being additionally inserted through openings in said adapter.

2. The mechanical pig pusher as claimed in claim 1 wherein an extension is removably attached to said metal plate cap, wherein said extension is an elongated shaft having two ends and a flange on both said ends, there being a plurality of through openings in said ends for receiving bolts for attachment to said adapter.

3. The mechanical pig pusher as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mechanical pig pusher is manufactured from metal.

4. The mechanic pig pusher as claimed in claim 3 wherein the metal is iron.

5. The mechanical pig pusher as claimed in claim 3 wherein the metal is steel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a full side view of a mechanical pig pusher of this invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a full top view is a full top view of the metal support holder for the mechanical pig pusher of this invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is full front view of the mechanical pig pusher of this invention.

(4) FIG. 4 a full side view of an adapter for the mechanical pip pusher of this invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a full side view of an extension for the mechanical pig pusher of this invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a mechanical pig pusher of this invention attached to the shovel of a piece of heavy equipment (equipment not shown).

(7) FIG. 7 is an illustration of the mechanical pig pusher of this invention at an angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Shown in FIG. 1 is a full side view of a mechanical pig pusher 1 of this invention. There is shown a metal support holder 2 consisting of a metal backer support plate 3. The metal backer support plate 3 has at least four through openings 4 through it (shown in phantom), generally at or near the corners. The metal backer support plate 3 has a front surface 5.

(9) Attached to the front surface 5 of the metal backer support plate 3 are two support plates (See FIG. 1), a top support plate 6 and a bottom support plate 7. The plates 6 and 7 are firmly attached to the metal backer support plate 3, usually by welding, although other means can be used as long as the plates 6 and 7 remain parallel and aligned to each other and will not break away. The metal top support plate 6 has a plurality of through openings 8 on a leading edge 9 and a center opening 13. The openings 8 and the opening 13 (FIG. 2), in conjunction with the metal bottom support plate 7 openings 12 and 14 (FIG. 1) accommodate pins 19 and 20 which hold an adapter 11 in place between plates 6 and 7.

(10) The metal bottom support plate 7 has a plurality of through openings 12 as indicated just Supra. These openings 12 are in vertical alignment with the openings 8 in the metal top support plate 6.

(11) The metal top support 6 and the bottom support plate 7 are arranged on the front surface 5 of the metal backer support plate 3 such that the gap 10 between them will accommodate the adapter 11 located therein.

(12) The adapter 11 has two openings, opening 15 in alignment with the openings 8 and 12 and opening 16 in alignment with the centered openings 13 and 14. In addition, the adapter 11 has openings in the bottom, an opening 17 that aligns with the openings 8 and 12 and an opening 18 that aligns with the center openings 13 and 14.

(13) The adapter 11 has a front metal plate cap 21 and a metal end cap flange 22 at the back end. Both the front metal plate cap 21 and the metal end cap flange 22 have openings 23 and 24 all shown in phantom in FIG. 1, respectively, through them. The adapter 11 is held in place by two pins 19 and 20, 19 being the front or leading edge pin and 20 being the centered opening pin. This pins 19 and 20 are not fastened in the openings and can be inserted and withdrawn at will.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a full top view of the metal backer support plate 3, and the metal top plate 6 showing the openings 8 and the centered opening 13. The adapter 11 can be swiveled between the top plate 6 and the bottom plate 7 by removing the pin 19. When the desired angle is achieved, the pin 19 is then re-inserted into the appropriate openings to secure the adapter 11 in place (see FIG. 7).

(15) FIG. 3 is a full front view of the mechanical pig pusher showing the metal backer plate 3, the top plate 6, the bottom plate 7, the adapter 11, pin 19, and openings that are used to affix the device to a piece of heavy equipment. Pins used in the inventive device range from about inch to about 1 inch, depending on the size of the device. A larger device needs a larger pin.

(16) FIG. 4 is a full side view of the adapter 11 showing the front metal plate cap 21 and the metal end cap flange 22 with openings 23 and 24 shown in phantom.

(17) FIG. 5 is a full side view of an extension 25 showing flanges 26 and 27 at the ends. These flanges 26 and 27 are adapted with openings 28 and 29 (shown in phantom) to allow attachment to the adapter 11. These flanges are typically used in piping. Two are used to join pieces together or to stop product from leaking out of a pipe that has flange openings. A rating in pounds (lbs), for example, 300 lbs, is a pressure rating. The instant device is useful on pipes having a 4 inch diameter and larger. Some pipes have a diameter of 36 inches.

(18) FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the device 1 of this invention affixed to a shovel 30 of a piece of heavy equipment. The heavy equipment is not shown and is not part of the instant invention.

(19) In use, the mechanical pig pusher 1 of this invention is attached to the heavy equipment. The pig is lifted mechanically by a piece of equipment which aligns the pig with the opening in the pig launcher and the mechanical pig pusher is aligned behind the pig and pushes the pig into the launcher.

(20) In this manner, all of the heavy lifting and all of the potential problems that arise in loading a pig into a launcher are avoided.

(21) The mechanical pig pusher of this invention is designed to fit on any large piece of equipment. Such equipment includes such things as bulldozers, excavators, skid steers, tractors, and the like.

(22) The devices of this invention are manufactured from heavy metal such as iron and steel and are attachable to the large equipment by any means that is convenient and that will hold the device.