Mandrel

Abstract

A method and apparatus for locating a barrier panel within a soil formation. The apparatus comprises a mandrel plate at least one leading blade located proximate to the bottom end of the mandrel plate. The apparatus further comprises at least one retainer plate pivotally supported from the mandrel plate between the bottom end of the mandrel plate and the leading blade. The retainer plate is rotatable between an engaged position to retain a barrier panel proximate to the front surface of the mandrel plate and a disengaged position. The method comprises locating a barrier panel against the mandrel plate, displacing the leading blade from a position distal to the mandrel to a position adjacent to the mandrel so as rotate the retainer plate from a disengaged to an engaged position capturing a bottom edge of the barrier panel and pressing the mandrel plate and barrier panel into the soil formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for locating a barrier panel within a soil formation comprising:
 a mandrel plate having front and rear surface extending between top and bottom ends;   at least one leading blade located proximate to said bottom end of the mandrel plate; and   at least one retainer plate pivotally supported from said mandrel plate between the bottom end of the mandrel plate and said leading blade, said at least one retainer plate being rotatable between an engaged position adapted to retain a plate barrier panel proximate to said front surface of said mandrel plate and a disengaged position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said mandrel plate includes at least one support plate extending perpendicularly from said rear surface of said mandrel plate. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each of said at least one retainer plate is pivotally supported from a corresponding at least one support plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein each of said at least one retainer plate includes a slot adapted receive said corresponding at least one support plate therein. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said at least one retainer plate is pivotally supported by a pin extending through said corresponding at least one support plate to portions of said retainer plate to each side of said corresponding at least one support plate. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said at least one retainer plate extending between top and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said top surfaces are substantially planar. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said top surfaces include an upturned end lip. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said end lip includes a retaining surface extending perpendicular to said top surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said retaining surface is located at a position adapted to correspond to the thickness of a barrier panel in said engaged position. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said bottom surfaces are arcuate. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said bottom surface is cammed to displace said leading blade away from said mandrel plate as said at least one retainer plate is rotated from said engaged to said disengaged position. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each of said at least one leading blade is slidably supported by a corresponding one of said at least one support plate. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein each of said at least one leading blade is positioned below said mandrel plate. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein each of said at least one leading blade has front and rear surfaces extending between top and bottom ends. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said each of said front and rear surfaces curve towards each other proximate to said bottom end to a tip of said at least one leading blade. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said tip is located midpoint of a thickness of said mandrel plate, retainer plate and leading blade. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said tip is located midpoint between said front and rear edges of said retainer plate when positioned at said engaged position. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said top end includes an arcuate surface. 
     
     
         20 . A method of locating a barrier panel within a soil formation comprising:
 locating a barrier panel against a front surface of a mandrel plate;   displacing a leading blade from a position distal to the mandrel to a position adjacent to the mandrel so as to cause a retainer plate located between the mandrel plate and the leading blade to be rotated into an engaged position capturing a bottom edge of the barrier panel; and   pressing said mandrel plate and barrier panel into the soil formation.