Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ARTICULATING SYSTEM FOR DRIVING HELICAL PIERS AND ANCHORS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a system for the installation of
helical anchors
or similar items. More particularly the invention relates to a system that
allows the drive
tool to be angled separately from the motive power source to allow the
connection of the
anchor or pier in a horizontal or near horizontal attitude.
Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0002] A helical anchor/pile is an extendable deep foundation system
with
helical bearing plates welded to a central steel shaft. Load is transferred
from the shaft
to the soil through these bearing plates. Segments or sections are joined with
bolted
couplings. Installation depth is limited only by soil density and practicality
based on
economics. A helical bearing plate or helix is one pitch of a screw thread.
Being a true
helical shape, the helices do not auger into the soil but rather screw into it
with minimal
soil disturbance. Helical plates are spaced at distances far enough apart that
they
function independently as individual bearing elements; consequently, the
capacity of a
helix on a helical anchor/pile shaft is not influenced by the helix above or
below it.
[0003] The helical anchor/pile is attached to the motive power source
(typically referred to as an auger drive) via a drive tool, typically by means
of a hollow
drive tool that is pinned to the upper end of the anchor section being
installed. In order
to effect the pinned joint there are two main methods, namely:
[0004] 1) A hole is drilled in the ground and the anchor inserted in
to the
ground such that the auger drive can be placed over the anchor at a level
relative to the
- 1 -
CA 2997320 2018-03-02
ground where it is possible to insert the pins to effect the connection. This
requires
additional handling equipment in order to pick and place the anchor in the
hole. This
double handling is also time consuming and any additional handling represents
a safety
concern.
[0005] 2) The auger drive is laid down on to the ground in a
horizontal aspect
such that the auger section can be offered up to the drive tool and pinned.
The system
is then raised up into the air in order to continue installation. By virtue of
the length of
the pile and that the system is now rigidly fixed, this can place large side
forces on the
shaft of the auger drive system. In addition the action of laying the auger
drive down on
the ground is time consuming and presents handling issues to avoid damage to
hoses
etc.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention employs a novel approach to the
connection of
the anchor section to the auger drive/drive tool. Particularly, the present
invention
employs a pivoting section that allows the pin-up section of the drive tool to
be swung to
a horizontal position independently of the auger drive.
[0007] Furthermore, once the anchor has been attached to the drive
tool the
anchor can be raised from the ground where it will assume a vertical position
and in
doing so allows the present invention to employ a locking mechanism that
prevents the
pivoting section from further movement and allows the anchor section to be
handled
and driven as if with a standard fixed drive tool.
- 2 -
CA 2997320 2018-03-02
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the accompanying drawings, in which one several of various
possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated, corresponding reference
characters
refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings in
which:
[0009] Fig. 1 is an explode view of the articulating system wherein an
upper or
fixed pivoting drive tool adaptor is attached to an auger drive and a lower
drive plate is
attached to an anchor or drive tool wherein the lower drive cannot pivot
unless lined up
with an appropriate slot in a locking collar;
[00010] Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the collar in position that the
lower
drive cannot pivot; and,
[00011] Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the collar in position that the
lower
drive can pivot with respect to the upper or fixed pivoting drive tool
adapter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[00012] Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference character,
reference numeral 10 refers to an articulating system in accordance with the
present
invention for connecting an auger drive with an anchor or drive tool. In main
part,
system 10 includes a knuckle joint 12 (Fig. 3), a sliding collar or sleeve 14
and a guide
member 16. As seen in Fig. 1, knuckle joint 12 has a forked end 18 attached to
a first
flange or plate 20 configured for attachment with bolts or the like to an
auger drive or
anchor or drive tool. An eye end 22 is attached to a second flange or plate 24
configured for attachment to an auger drive or anchor or drive tool. As
illustrated in Fig.
1-3, forked end 18 is at the auger drive end and eye end 22 is at the anchor
or drive tool
end.
- 3 -
CA 2997320 2018-03-02
. ,
[00013] Forked end 18 has coaxial holes 26 and eye end 22 has a hole 28
coaxially aligned with the coaxial holes 26 in forked end 18 in an assembled
position. A
knuckle pin 30 passes through the coaxial holes 26 in forked end 18 and hole
28 in eye
end 22 and is held in place with a keeper or collar 32 and locking pin 34 for
holding the
knuckle joint in the assembled position for sliding fit inside sliding collar
or sleeve 14.
[00014] Sliding collar or sleeve 14 has an inclined slot 36 angled towards the
drive end with an upper end 38 and a lower end 40. Slot 36 is curved and may
be arc
shaped. Guide member 16 is attached to forked end 18. As illustrated guide
member
16 is a guide pin received in a hole 44 provided in forked end 18, just below
and
coaxially aligned with knuckle pin 30.
[00015] In use, as shown in Fig. 2, guide member 16 is in upper end 40 of slot
36 and a lower end of sliding collar or sleeve 14 is below an axis of knuckle
pin 30. A
detent 46 (Fig. 1) in slot 36 may be provided for locking guide member 16 in
place.
Turning to Fig. 3, guide member 16 is in lower end 38 of slot 36 and the lower
end of
sliding collar or sleeve 14 is above the axis of knuckle pin 30. As shown in
Fig. 3, eye
end 22 may rotate with respect to forked end 18. When articulating assembly 10
is
swung into vertical position as for example with a section of anchor or drive
tool
attached, the tensile load on the system causes forked end 18 and eye end 22
to align
and sliding collar or sleeve 14 may drop down over the joint under force of
gravity.
[00016] The above locking action of sliding collar or sleeve 14 may be further
facilitated with a handle 48 attached to a sidewall of collar or sleeve 14 for
rotating slot
36 around guide pin 16. Alternatively or additionally a spring return 50 may
be provided
- 4 -
CA 2997320 2018-03-02
between handle 48 and guide pin 16 biasing collar or sleeve 14 to rotate such
that guide
pin 16 is in lower end 40 and the joint in locked condition.
[00017] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the
invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various
changes
could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of
the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description
or shown in
the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a
limiting
sense.
- 5 -
CA 2997320 2018-03-02
