US 12,455,035 B2
Pipe splitting apparatus with cable engagement system
Michael Tjader, New Richmond, WI (US)
Assigned to TT Technologies, Inc., Aurora, IL (US)
Filed by TT Technologies, Inc., Aurora, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/478,503.
Application 17/478,503 is a continuation of application No. 16/162,933, filed on Oct. 17, 2018, granted, now 11,125,377.
Application 16/162,933 is a continuation of application No. 15/490,988, filed on Apr. 19, 2017, granted, now 10,139,031.
Application 15/490,988 is a continuation of application No. 14/275,385, filed on May 12, 2014, granted, now 9,631,763.
Application 14/275,385 is a continuation of application No. 12/897,552, filed on Oct. 4, 2010, granted, now 8,721,223.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/248,753, filed on Oct. 5, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2022/0107045 A1, Apr. 7, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 55/18 (2006.01); F16L 55/165 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 55/18 (2013.01) [F16L 55/1658 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pipe breaking device, comprising:
a pilot segment, including a plurality of splitting blades, the pilot segment having a first outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a pipe to be split;
an expander located behind the pilot segment, the expander increasing in diameter from the pilot segment to a second outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the pipe to be split, wherein a beginning of the expander is located behind the plurality of splitting blades;
a ball and socket joint between the pilot segment and the expander, wherein a concave portion of the ball and socket joint covers a ball portion of the ball and socket joint to allow an out of abutting relation between the ball portion and the concave portion, and wherein the concave portion faces a back end of the pipe breaking device;
a shelf formed in the expander adjacent to the concave portion of the ball and socket joint, wherein the shelf aligns with the concave portion of the ball and socket joint to smooth an outer surface transition between the pilot segment and the expander;
a cable gripping device located within the pipe breaking device, the cable gripping device including a taper to engage with a corresponding taper on an inside surface of the pipe breaking device;
a biasing device to urge the cable gripping device in an engaged position about a cable when in use.