US2008260470A1PendingUtilityA1

Pile formation

46
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 15, 2007Filed: Mar 13, 2008Published: Oct 23, 2008
Est. expiryMar 15, 2027(~0.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Roger A. Bullivant
E02D 7/02E02D 5/66E02D 5/22E02D 7/22E02D 5/46E02D 5/48E02D 5/56E02D 5/801E02D 7/26
46
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Claims

Abstract

An article ( 10 ) is used in forming a pile. The article ( 10 ) has at least one helical flight ( 12 ) and a core ( 14 ). The helical pitch p is no less than four times the diameter D of the flight. The driving force on the article ( 10 ) to drive the article ( 10 ) into the ground ( 34 ) can be substantially vertical while the article ( 10 ) is free to rotate. Settable material ( 40 ) can be introduced through the core ( 14 ) of the article ( 10 ) as it is removed to form a pile. The article ( 10 ) can be used as a pre-formed pile and be left in the ground. Torque can be applied to the article ( 10 ) to form an augered region ( 46 ) at the surface of the ground ( 34 ) as protection against heave.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An article for use in forming a pile, the article having at least one generally helical flight for driving into the ground, wherein the pitch of the or each flight is at least four times the diameter of the flight. 
   
   
       2 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein the pitch (p) of the or each flight and the diameter (D) of the flight may be related as 4D≦p≦10D. 
   
   
       3 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein the pitch is substantially six times the diameter. 
   
   
       4 . An article according to  claim 1 , having an elongate core around which the or each helical flight extends. 
   
   
       5 . An article according to  claim 4 , wherein the core is substantially cylindrical. 
   
   
       6 . An article according to  claim 4 , wherein the core is circular in section. 
   
   
       7 . An article according to  claim 4  wherein the diameter of the or each flight is at least twice the diameter of the core. 
   
   
       8 . An article according to  claim 1 , having a plurality of flights. 
   
   
       9 . An article according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of flights have substantially the same diameter. 
   
   
       10 . An article according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of flights have substantially the same pitch. 
   
   
       11 . An article according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of flights are substantially equally spaced around the article. 
   
   
       12 . An article according to  claim 1 , the article being a pre-formed pile for embedding in the ground. 
   
   
       13 . An article according to  claim 12 , wherein the article is a pre-cast concrete pile. 
   
   
       14 . An article according to  claim 1 , the article being a pile former for forming a void in the ground, for subsequent filling with pile material. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a pile, in which an article having at least one generally helical flight for driving into the ground, wherein the pitch of the or each flight is at least four times the diameter of the flight, is driven into the ground. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the article is driven substantially solely by force applied in the direction of driving. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the article is free to rotate about the driving direction, while being driven. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 16 ,  17  or  18 , wherein driving force is applied by vibration or by a substantially continuous force or by impact. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein sufficient torque is applied to the article, while being driven, to overcome frictional resistance without causing driving by threaded engagement between the flight and the ground. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein during at least part of the drive, the article is turned to cause the flight to auger the surrounding ground. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the augered ground is adjacent the surface. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein a sleeve is inserted into the ground, around the augered region. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the article is withdrawn after driving, pile material being introduced into the void formed as the article is withdrawn. 
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the pile material is settable. 
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the pile material is introduced through a passage provided within the article. 
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein reinforcement is introduced into the pile material, prior to setting. 
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the article is withdrawn by applying substantially solely a force in the direction of withdrawal. 
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the article is free to rotate during withdrawal. 
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the withdrawing force is applied by vibration. 
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the withdrawing force is substantially continuous. 
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the withdrawing force is applied by impact. 
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein sufficient torque is applied to the article, while being withdrawn, to overcome frictional resistance between the flight and the ground. 
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein during at least part of the range of withdrawal, the article is turned to cause the flight to auger the surrounding ground. 
   
   
       35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the augered ground is adjacent the surface. 
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein a sleeve is inserted into the ground, around the augered region. 
   
   
       37 . (canceled) 
   
   
       38 . (canceled)

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