Pile driving system

Abstract

The invention relates to a pile driver for driving piles into ground. The pile driver comprises a body, a vibrator unit, a primary first arm and a primary second arm, both being pivotable about a primary axis; and a secondary first arm and a secondary second arm, both being pivotable about a secondary axis, which is parallel with the primary axis. The pile driver comprises an actuator or actuator arrangement for pivoting the arms. A first part of the primary first arm is provided with a primary first attachment for attaching an adapter of an adapter arrangement. An adapter for use with the pile driver. An arrangement comprising the pile driver and two adapter arrangements each comprising at least an adapter.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A pile driver for driving piles into ground, the pile driver comprising
 a body attachable to a power tool,   a vibrator unit attached to the body,   a primary first arm and a primary second arm, the primary first arm and the primary second arm being pivotable about a primary axis, the primary axis being arranged in a first direction,   a secondary first arm and a secondary second arm, the secondary first arm and the secondary second arm being pivotable about a secondary axis, the secondary axis being parallel with the primary axis,   an actuator or actuator arrangement for pivoting [a] at least one of the primary first arm and the primary second arm and [b] at least one of the secondary first arm and the secondary second arm, wherein   a first part of the primary first arm is provided with a primary first attachment for attaching an adapter suitable for gripping an object to be driven with the pile driver   the primary axis is arranged a first distance apart from the secondary axis, and   a tip of the first part of the primary first arm is arranged a second distance apart from the primary axis such that   a ratio of the second distance to the first distance is equal to or less than 1.5; preferably at most 1.0.   
     
     
         19 . The pile driver of  claim 18 , wherein
 the second distance is at least 15 cm;   
       preferably,
 a first part of the secondary first arm is provided with a secondary first attachment and 
 a tip of the first part of the secondary first arm is arranged a third distance apart from the secondary axis such that 
 a ratio of the third distance to the first distance is equal to or less than 1.5, preferably at most 1.0, and 
 the third distance is at least 15 cm. 
 
     
     
         20 . An arrangement comprising
 the pile driver of the  claim 18 ,   a primary adapter arrangement for gripping a first object to be driven with the pile driver, the primary adapter arrangement being configured to be fixed both to the primary first attachment of the primary first arm and a primary second attachment of the primary second arm,   a secondary adapter arrangement for gripping the first object such that in use at least a part of the first object is arranged in between the primary adapter arrangement and the secondary adapter arrangement, the secondary adapter arrangement being configured to be fixed both to a/the secondary first attachment of the secondary first arm and a secondary second attachment of the secondary second arm,   a primary stiffener configured to couple the primary first arm and the primary second arm such that the primary first arm and the primary second arm pivot together, and   a secondary stiffener configured to couple the secondary first arm and the secondary second arm such that the secondary first arm and the secondary second arm pivot together;   preferably,   a shape of an adapter of the secondary adapter arrangement is identical to a shape of an adapter of the primary adapter arrangement and/or   a shape of an adapter of at least one of the adapter arrangements is symmetric about a plane.   
     
     
         21 . The arrangement of  claim 20 , wherein
 the primary adapter arrangement is configured such that when fixed to the to the primary first attachment of the primary first arm and the primary second attachment of the primary second arm,
 a first part of the primary adapter arrangement is arranged further away, or as far, from the primary axis than/as the tip of the first part of the primary first arm and 
 a second part of the primary adapter arrangement is arranged further away, or as far, from the primary axis than/as a tip of a first part of the primary second arm, the first part of the primary second arm comprising the primary second attachment; 
   
       preferably
 the secondary adapter arrangement is configured such that when fixed to the to the secondary first attachment of the secondary first arm and the secondary second attachment of the secondary second arm,
 a first part of the secondary adapter arrangement is arranged further away, or as far, from the secondary axis than/as a/the tip of a/the first part of the secondary first arm and 
 a second part of the secondary adapter arrangement is arranged further away, or as far, from the secondary axis than/as a tip of a first part of the secondary second arm. 
 
 
     
     
         22 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , wherein the primary adapter arrangement comprises
 a primary first slot in between a first primary plate and a first secondary plate, the primary first slot being configured to receive a part of the primary first arm, and   a primary second slot in between a second primary plate and a second secondary plate, the primary second slot being configured to receive a part of the primary second arm.   
     
     
         23 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , wherein
 the primary adapter arrangement comprises a primary first stiffening member that is configured to stiffen an adapter of the primary adapter arrangement against bending about an axis that is parallel to the first direction and   the secondary adapter arrangement comprises a secondary first stiffening member that is configured to stiffen an adapter of the secondary adapter arrangement gainst bending about an axis that is parallel to the first direction.   
     
     
         24 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , wherein
 the primary adapter arrangement comprises a primary adapter comprising a primary second stiffening member that is configured to stiffen the primary adapter against bending about an axis that is parallel to a direction that is directed from the tip of the first part of the primary first arm to the primary axis, or   the primary stiffener is fixed to the primary first arm and the primary second arm;   
       preferably,
 the primary first arm is pivotable about the primary axis independently of the primary second arm, when the primary adapter is dismounted from the vibrator device; 
 
       preferably also,
 the secondary adapter arrangement comprises a secondary adapter comprising a secondary second stiffening member that is configured to stiffen the secondary adapter against bending about an axis that is parallel to a direction that is directed from a/the tip of the first part of the secondary first arm to the secondary axis or 
 the secondary stiffener is fixed to the secondary first arm and the secondary second arm. 
 
     
     
         25 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , wherein
 an adapter of the primary adapter arrangement is configured to be attached to the to the primary first attachment of the primary first arm by at least bolts, whereby   the adapter of the primary adapter arrangement is configured to be detached from the primary first attachment by opening the bolts.   
     
     
         26 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , comprising
 a tertiary adapter arrangement for gripping a second object to be driven with the pile driver, the tertiary adapter arrangement being configured to be fixed both to the primary first attachment of the primary first arm and a/the primary second attachment of the primary second arm, wherein   a shape of an adapter of the tertiary adapter arrangement is different from a shape of an adapter of the primary adapter arrangement for gripping such a second object that is different from the first object, and   only one of the tertiary adapter arrangement and the primary adapter arrangement at a time is configured to be fixed both to the primary first attachment and the primary second attachment;   
       preferably, the arrangement further comprises:
 a quaternary adapter arrangement for gripping the second object to be driven with the pile driver, the quaternary adapter arrangement being configured to be fixed both to a/the secondary first attachment of the secondary first arm and a/the secondary second attachment of the secondary second arm, wherein 
 a shape of an adapter of the quaternary adapter arrangement is different from a shape of an adapter of the secondary adapter arrangement and 
 only one of the quaternary adapter arrangement and the secondary adapter arrangement at a time is configured to be fixed both to the secondary first attachment and the secondary second attachment; 
 
       more preferably,
 a shape an adapter of the quaternary adapter arrangement is identical to a shape an adapter of the tertiary adapter arrangement. 
 
     
     
         27 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , wherein
 the primary first arm is configured to pivot about a primary first pivot,   the primary second arm is configured to pivot about a primary second pivot, and   the vibrator unit is arranged between a first plane and a second plane, wherein
 the first direction is normal to the first plane and the first plane intersects the primary first pivot and 
 the first direction is normal to the second plane and the second plane intersects the primary second pivot; 
   
       preferably also
 the secondary first arm is configured to pivot about a secondary first pivot, 
 the secondary second arm is configured to pivot about a secondary second pivot, and 
 the vibrator unit is arranged between a third plane and a fourth plane, wherein
 the first direction is normal to the third plane and the third plane intersects the secondary first pivot and 
 the first direction is normal to the fourth plane and the fourth plane intersects the secondary second pivot. 
 
 
     
     
         28 . The arrangement of the  claim 20 , wherein
 the primary first attachment of the primary first arm comprises
 a primary first primary hole extending into the primary first arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the first direction, and 
 a primary first secondary hole extending into the primary first arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the first direction, and 
   a/the primary second attachment of the primary second arm comprises
 a primary second primary hole extending into the primary second arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the first direction and 
 a primary second secondary hole extending into the primary second arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the first direction; 
   
       preferably also
 the direction to which the primary first secondary hole extends forms a minimum angle of at least 60 degrees with a direction that is directed from the primary first secondary hole to the primary axis and 
 the direction to which the primary second secondary hole extends forms a minimum angle of at least 60 degrees with a direction that is directed from the primary second secondary hole to the primary axis. 
 
     
     
         29 . The arrangement of  claim 28 , wherein
 [A]
 the primary first primary hole extends through the primary first arm or 
   [B]
 the primary first attachment of the primary first arm comprises a primary first tertiary hole extending into the primary first arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the first direction such that 
 the primary first primary hole and primary first tertiary hole are arranged on opposite sides of a first plane that intersects a primary first pivot, wherein 
 the primary first arm (is configured to pivot about the primary first pivot, and 
 the first direction is normal to the first plane. 
   
     
     
         30 . The arrangement of the  claim 22 , wherein
 the first primary plate comprises a first primary first aperture such that   the first primary first aperture is configured to operate in connection with a/the primary first primary hole of the primary first attachment of the primary first arm,   a bottom of the primary first slot is provided with a first quaternary first aperture that is configured to operate in connection with a/the primary first secondary hole of the primary first attachment of the primary first arm, and   the first secondary plate comprises a first secondary first aperture such that the first secondary first aperture is configured to operate in connection with a/the primary first primary hole or a/the primary first tertiary hole of the primary first attachment of the primary first arm;   
       preferably
 the second primary plate comprises a second primary first aperture such that 
 the second primary first aperture is configured to operate in connection with a/the primary second primary hole of a/the primary second attachment of the primary second arm, 
 a bottom of the primary second slot is provided with second quaternary first aperture that is configured to operate in connection with a/the primary second secondary hole of the primary second attachment of the primary second arm, and 
 the second secondary plate comprises a second secondary first aperture such that the second secondary first aperture is configured to operate in connection with a/the primary second primary hole or a/the primary second tertiary hole of the primary second attachment of the primary second arm. 
 
     
     
         31 . The pile driver of the  claim 18 , wherein
 the primary first arm is configured to pivot about a primary first pivot,   the primary second arm is configured to pivot about a primary second pivot, and   the vibrator unit is arranged between a first plane and a second plane, wherein
 the first direction is normal to the first plane and the first plane intersects the primary first pivot and 
 the first direction is normal to the second plane and the second plane intersects the primary second pivot; 
   preferably also   the secondary first arm is configured to pivot about a secondary first pivot,   the secondary second arm is configured to pivot about a secondary second pivot, and   the vibrator unit is arranged between a third plane and a fourth plane, wherein
 the first direction is normal to the third plane and the third plane intersects the secondary first pivot and 
 the first direction is normal to the fourth plane and the fourth plane intersects the secondary second pivot. 
   
     
     
         32 . The pile driver of the  claim 18 , wherein
 the primary first attachment of the primary first arm comprises
 a primary first primary hole extending into the primary first arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the first direction and 
 a primary first secondary hole extending into the primary first arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the first direction, and 
   a/the primary second attachment of the primary second arm comprises
 a primary second primary hole extending into the primary second arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the first direction and 
 a primary second secondary hole extending into the primary second arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the first direction; 
   
       preferably also
 the direction to which the primary first secondary hole extends forms a minimum angle of at least 60 degrees with a direction that is directed from the primary first secondary hole to the primary axis and 
 the direction to which the primary second secondary hole extends forms a minimum angle of at least 60 degrees with a direction that is directed from the primary second secondary hole to the primary axis. 
 
     
     
         33 . The pile driver of  claim 32 , wherein
 [A]
 the primary first primary hole extends through the primary first arm or 
   [B]
 the primary first attachment of the primary first arm comprises a primary first tertiary hole extending into the primary first arm in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the first direction such that 
 the primary first primary hole and primary first tertiary hole are arranged on opposite sides of a first plane that intersects a primary first pivot, wherein 
 the primary first arm is configured to pivot about the primary first pivot, and 
 the first direction is normal to the first plane. 
   
     
     
         34 . An adapter suitable for use with a pile driver of the  claim 18 , the adapter being suitable for gripping an object to be driven with the pile driver, the adapter comprising
 a first mount, the first mount being configured to be attached to a primary first attachment of a primary first arm of the pile driver, the first mount comprising   a primary first plate and   a primary second plate that is parallel with the primary first plate and arranged a distance apart from the primary first plate such that   a primary first slot for receiving a part of the primary first arm of a pile driver is arranged between the primary first plate and the primary second plate, and   a grip surface configured to grip the object to be driven with the pile driver, wherein   the first mount extends in a secondary direction, and   the adapter extends in the secondary direction beyond the first mount.   
     
     
         35 . The adapter of  claim 34 , wherein, in use,
 a first part of the adapter is arranged further away, or as far, from a primary axis, about which the primary first arm of a pile driver pivots, than/as a tip of a first part of the primary first arm, the first part of the primary first arm comprising the primary first attachment;   
       preferably,
 the grip surface comprises the first part of the adapter. 
 
     
     
         36 . An adapter suitable for use with the pile driver of the  claim 18 , the adapter being suitable for gripping an object to be driven with the pile driver, the adapter comprising
 a first mount, the first mount being configured to be attached to a primary first attachment of a primary first arm of the pile driver, the first mount comprising   a primary first plate and   a primary second plate that is parallel with the primary first plate and arranged a distance apart from the primary first plate such that   a primary first slot for receiving a part of the primary first arm of the pile driver is arranged between the primary first plate and the primary second plate, and   a grip surface configured to grip the object to be driven with the pile driver, wherein   the first mount extends in a secondary direction, and   the adapter extends in the secondary direction beyond the first mount, the adapter comprising   a second mount, the second mount being configured to be attached to a primary second attachment of a primary second arm of the pile driver, the second mount being arranged a distance apart from the first mount (Ma 1 ) in a primary direction, and   a second stiffening member that is configured to stiffen the adapter (against bending about an axis that is parallel to the secondary direction.   
     
     
         37 . The adapter of the  claim 34 , wherein
 the first mount comprises
 a first primary aperture extending through a part of the adapter in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the primary direction and 
 a first tertiary aperture extending through a part of the adapter in a direction that
 forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the primary direction and 
 forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the secondary direction. 
 
   
     
     
         38 . The adapter of claim of  claim 36 , wherein the second mount comprises
 a second primary aperture extending through a part of the adapter in a direction that in a direction that forms a minimum angle of at most 60 degrees, preferably at most 15 degrees, with the primary direction and   a second tertiary aperture extending through a part of the adapter in a direction that
 forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the primary direction and 
 forms a minimum angle of at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 75 degrees, with the secondary direction.