Ground engaging shaft

Abstract

An apparatus and method for engaging a member within a soil formation. The apparatus comprises a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound and a first plate, axially rotatably connected to the shaft. The apparatus may further comprise a second plate rotatably connected to the shaft above the first plate which may have connectors for engagement with a corresponding adjacent plate. The method comprises locating the shaft above a soil formation and rotating the shaft into the soil formation so as to draw the first plate into the soil formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for engaging a soil formation comprising:
 a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound; and   a first plate, axially rotatably connected to the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one auger section is proximate to said bottom end of said shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said shaft includes a second auger section located below said first plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first plate is located proximate to said top end of said shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first plate is located at substantially a midpoint of said shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first plate is longitudinally located along said shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first plate is longitudinally located along said shaft by collars. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first plate extends substantially radially from said shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first plate includes a top edge extending substantially perpendicularly from an axis of said shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said plate may include a bottom edge extending at an angle of incline from a plane normal to the axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second plate rotatably connected to said shaft above said first plate. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said second plate is substantially alignable with said first plate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said second plate is independently rotatable of said first plate. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said second plate extends between first and second side edges. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said first and second side edges are substantially parallel with said central axis. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said first and second side edges have connectors for engagement with a corresponding adjacent plate. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said connectors comprise a u-shaped channel adapted to intermesh with corresponding u-shaped channel of adjacent plates so as to be interlocked therewith. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each u-shaped channel comprises a flange extending from each of said first and second side edges to a parallel spaced apart end plate. 
     
     
         19 . A method for engaging a member within a soil formation comprising:
 locating a shaft extending between top and bottom ends along a central axis and having at least one auger section therearound and having a first plate, axially rotatably connected to the shaft above a soil formation; and   rotating said shaft into the soil formation so as to draw said first plate into said soil formation.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising interlocking a second plate rotatably connected to said shaft to an adjacent plate.