Apparatus for installing a workpiece below a surface

Abstract

An apparatus for installing a workpiece such as an anchor at a location underneath a surface such as the surface of the earth comprising an elongate track member having a first end positionable proximate as on the surface and a second end positionable distal the surface, a carriage slidably mounted on the track member for reciprocal movement therealong, a hammer assembly mounted on the carriage and having a hammer head reciprocally movable relative to the carriage in a direction toward and away from the first end of the track member, an operator to effect reciprocation of the hammer head and an actuator to compressively urge the carriage toward the first end of the track member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for installing a workpiece at a location underneath a surface comprising: 
 an elongate track member having a first end positionable proximate said surface and a second end positionable distal said surface;    a carriage mounted on said track member for reciprocal movement therealong;    a hammer assembly mounted on said carriage and having a hammer head reciprocally movable relative to said carriage in a direction toward and away from said first end of said track member;    an operator to effect reciprocation of said hammer head; and    an actuator to compressively urge said carriage toward said first end of said track member.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hammer head is percussively operated.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hammer assembly comprises a hydraulic hammer.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hammer assembly includes a housing and said housing is keyed to said carriage.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said actuator is a hydraulic actuator.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said actuator comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly, one of said cylinder or said piston rod being attached to said carriage, the other of said cylinder or said piston rod being attached to said track member.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  includes a support attached to said track member to hold said track member in a predetermined position.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said support is operable to vary the attitude of said track member relative to said surface.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said track member is attached to a footer.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said track member is pivotable relative to said footer.