Timber pile connector

Abstract

A timber pile connector for splicing an upper and lower timber pile. Subsequent to driving the lower pile substantially into the ground, the connector is embedded into the exposed face of the lower pile. The upper pile is then coaxially aligned with the lower pile and the embedded connector and driven into the ground. Concurrent with the pile driving process, the connector is embedded into the upper pile. The timber pile connector utilizes a penetration-limiting member to limit the depth of penetration of the connector into the upper and lower timber piles.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A timber pile connector for splicing an upper timber pile having a vertical axis, and a lower timber pile having a vertical axis coaxially aligned with the vertical axis of the upper timber pile comprising: a cylindrical splicing element comprising a vertical axis coaxially aligned with the vertical axes of the upper timber pile and the lower timber pile, a horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said splicing element, and a circuitous wall defining a bore therewith, said circuitous wall projecting inwardly into the upper timber pile and the lower timber pile, said bore having a cross-sectional area less than a cross sectional area of both the upper timber pile and the lower timber pile; a plurality of horizontal slots projecting through said splicing element displaced along said horizontal axis of said splicing element and substantially halfway along said vertical axis of said splicing element; and a penetration-limiting member displaced through said horizontal slots and fixedly attached to said splicing element.