Vibratory post driving device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device for driving a post into the ground that has: a mounting assembly for mounting the device onto a support vehicle; a mast assembly connected to the mounting assembly and a driving assembly slidably connected to the mast to slide axially thereon. The driving assembly has a vibrator and a support cup operatively connected to the vibrator that is capable of receiving an end of the post. The device drives a post into the ground by the application of vibratory and constant downward force onto the post. This invention also discloses a method of driving a post into the ground. The device of this invention is robust, sturdy and easy to use and repair.

1 . A device for driving a post into the ground comprising: 
 (a) a mounting assembly for mounting the device onto a support vehicle;    (b) a mast having a base;    (c) a vibrator slidably connected to the mast to slide axially thereon;    (d) a support cup operatively connected to the vibrator and capable of receiving an end of the post; and    (e) a force applying means operable to apply constant force to the vibrator to urge it towards the base.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the vibrator is slidably connected to the mast by means of a sleeve that surrounds the mast, and which is connected to the vibrator.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the support cup is operatively connected to the vibrator by attaching the support cup to the bottom of the vibrator.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for applying constant downward force is a hydraulic cylinder assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly is located inside the mast.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the driving assembly is caused to slide axially along the mast by a hydraulic cylinder assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a footplate is attached to the base.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one or more projections extend from the base.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein one or more projections extend from the footplate.  
     
     
         10 . A method for driving a post into the ground comprising: 
 (a) placing a first end of the post onto the surface of the ground at a point where the post will be inserted into the ground;    (b) inserting a second end of the post into a support cup that is positioned substantially above the point, the support cup: 
 (i) comprising an edge sized to extend around the second end of the post, and  
 (ii) comprising a top surface that will transmit vibratory and constant downward force onto the second end of the post, p 1  (c) applying vibratory and constant downward force by means of the top surface to the second end of the post, such that the post is driven into the ground;  
   (d) ceasing the application of the vibratory and constant downward force when the post is inserted a selected distance into the ground.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the vibratory and constant downward force is applied by the device of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         20 . A device for driving a post into the ground comprising: 
 (a) a mounting assembly for mounting the device onto a support vehicle;    (b) a mast assembly having a footplate and a rigid central mast extending therefrom;    (c) a vibrator slidably connected to the mast to slide axially thereon;    (d) a support cup operatively connected to the vibrator and capable of receiving an end of the post; and    (e) a hydraulic cylinder assembly for applying constant force to the vibrator to urge it towards the footplate.    
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the support cup is underneath the vibrator.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly is inside the mast.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20  additionally comprising projections extending from the footplate.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a mounting plate for mounting the device onto the support vehicle.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the mounting plate is capable of engaging an adaptor provided by an adjustable support on the support vehicle.