US 12,281,726 B2
Pipe extraction assisted by pre-stressed strand
Robert F. Crane, Nekoosa, WI (US); Mark D. Randa, Oconomowoc, WI (US); and Steven W. Wentworth, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Assigned to The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, OK (US)
Filed by The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, OK (US)
Filed on Jul. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/862,939.
Application 17/862,939 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/397,412, filed on Aug. 9, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/397,412 is a continuation of application No. 16/866,720, filed on May 5, 2020, granted, now 11,112,033, issued on Sep. 7, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/222,155, filed on Jul. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/843,878, filed on May 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0341508 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. F16L 1/028 (2006.01); B66D 3/00 (2006.01); F16L 1/06 (2006.01); F16L 55/18 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 1/028 (2013.01) [B66D 3/006 (2013.01); F16L 1/06 (2013.01); F16L 55/18 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
5. A method comprising:
disposing a wire through an existing pipe, the existing pipe having first and second ends and an underground section disposed between the first and second ends, wherein a first direction is defined as being from the second end toward the first end;
anchoring the wire to the existing pipe at the second end;
thereafter, pulling the wire in the first direction from the first end without moving the existing pipe, thereby stretching the wire; and
thereafter, while maintaining the wire in tension, pulling the existing pipe and the wire in the first direction from the first end, using the steps of:
gripping the wire with a first wire clamp;
gripping the existing pipe with a pipe vise; and
thereafter, while the wire and the existing pipe are gripped, extending an actuator to move the first wire clamp and the pipe vise in the first direction.