Pile driver

Abstract

A pile driver including an apparatus for allowing relative movement between a hammer and a boom of an excavator. The apparatus includes a mounting plate mounted to the boom that interfits with and is slidable with respect to a frame rail mounted to the hammer. In operation, the hammer is placed on top of a pile and, as the pile is driven downwardly, the hammer follows the pile. Owing to the relative movement between the boom of the excavator and the hammer, the hammer follows the pile without requiring continuous downward readjustment of the boom. In one embodiment, the mounting plate assembly does not extend substantially above the hammer frame. In another embodiment, the hammer can rotate with respect to the boom. In one embodiment, the hammer includes a ram, a cylinder for lifting the ram, and rotation-resistant cable connecting the ram and the cylinder.

1 . A pile driver hammer, comprising:
 a frame;   a ram disposed on said frame and movable with respect to said frame; and   a ram lifting mechanism supported by said frame and connected to said ram, wherein said ram lifting mechanism includes a cable having a plurality of layers of strands, wherein at least one layer of strands is wound in one direction and at least one layer of strands is wound in another direction.   
   
   
       2 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 1 , wherein said cable includes a central core of strands and an outer layer of strands substantially surrounding said central core, wherein said central core of strands is wound in one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction, and wherein said outer layer of strands is wound in the other of said clockwise direction and said counter-clockwise direction. 
   
   
       3 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 1 , wherein said ram includes a passage extending from the top of said ram to the bottom of said ram, wherein said ram further includes a shoulder in a bottom portion of said ram, and wherein said pile driver member further includes a connector member, wherein said connector member is connected to said cable and engages said shoulder of said ram. 
   
   
       4 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said connector member extends upwardly at least partly through said passage. 
   
   
       5 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 3 , wherein said ram further includes a mounting recess surrounding said shoulder, said mounting recess receiving at least a portion of said connector member. 
   
   
       6 . A pile driver hammer, comprising:
 a frame;   a ram disposed on said frame and movable with respect to said frame, wherein said ram includes a passage extending from the top of said ram to the bottom of said ram, and wherein said ram further includes a shoulder in a bottom portion of said ram;   a ram lifting mechanism supported by said frame and connected to said ram, wherein said ram lifting mechanism includes a cable; and   a connector member, wherein said connector member is connected to said cable and engages said shoulder of said ram, and wherein at least a portion of said connector extends upwardly at least partly through said passage.   
   
   
       7 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of said cable extends through said passage. 
   
   
       8 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 6 , wherein said ram further includes a mounting recess surrounding said shoulder, said mounting recess receiving at least a portion of said connector member. 
   
   
       9 . The pile driver hammer of  claim 6 , wherein said cable includes a plurality of layers of strands, wherein at least one layer of strands is wound in one direction and at least one layer of strands is wound in another direction.