Appeal No. 2004-0839 Page 9
Application No. 09/347,695
96 by the hand tool until prong 106 penetrates the surface of the earth a desired
amount, such as three inches, sufficient to retain the geophone position. The hand tool
is then removed and cylinders 56 are actuated to push geophone 98 into the earth.
As seen in Figure 4, actuation of cylinders 56 when geophone 98 penetrates the
earth lifts tractor 14. The weight of tractor 14 is partially transferred to force push
tube 68 into earth E. To assist further in implanting geophone 98, hydraulic motor 94
and vibrator 90 are energized by actuation of valve 124 by the operator of implanting
apparatus 12 to vibrate vibratory frame 18 and push tube 68. Vibration of push tube 68
by contact of bearing insert 86 on vibratory frame 18 vibrates the lower end of tube 68
to assist in the implantation of geophone 98 as is particularly desirable with hard earth
surfaces. Chains 70 as shown in Figure 3 provide a flexible connection between the
upper end of tube 68 and cross beam 62 to permit limited lateral movement of tube 68
relative to cylinders 56.
After implantation of geophone 98, push tube 68 is lifted by cylinders 56 with
chains 70 in the position of Figure 2. As geophone 98 slidably fits within the open end
of push tube 68, geophone 98 remains implanted upon raising of push tube 68. When
push tube 68 is raised, tractor 14 is returned to the ground surface and may be driven
to another predetermined location for implantation of another geophone.
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