GB1561101A - Apparatus for the driving and extraction of sheet piles - Google Patents

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR THE DRIVING AND EXTRACTION OF SHEET PILES (71) WE, HUDSWELL MORRICE LI MITED, a British Company of 80 Station Parade, Harrogate, Yorkshire (formerly of Jack Lane, Leeds, Yorkshire) do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to sheet piling, and the invention is an improvement or modification of the invention described and claimed in the Complete Specification of our prior Patent No. 1,419,071.

In said Patent No. 1,419,071, there is described and claimed piling apparatus which is adapted to be supported on and movable over the surface of the ground, said piling apparatus being adapted for the insertion and withdrawal of a pile into and out of the ground below said piling apparatus, and comprising a rigid framework having at least one driving beam, power-operated means connected between the rigid framework and the driving beam for moving the driving beam up and down relative to said rigid framework, said driving beam being adapted to have a pile removably coupled thereto so that the pile may move up and down with said driving beam, said apparatus further comprising a plurality of bearing pads for engagement with the ground, on each pad an element coupled to the framework and movable relative to the pad in the desired direction of rigid framework travel, a drive motor operable to effect such relative movement, and a lifting device connected between each element and the rigid framework operable to raise and lower the framework relative to the pad.

Each bearing pad consists of a hollow member and each drive motor is a fluid pressure operated traversing jack housed in the hollow member. Each bearing pad is movable vertically relative to the framework by the lifting device, the latter being a fluid pressure-operated lifting jackS whereby the framework could be raised dear of- the ground prior to the framework being moved along the surface of the ground.

Because of the extremely heavy weight of the apparatus which was thought to be necessary to provide sufficient resistance to enable the piles to be driven into and extracted from the ground, it was thought that the bearing pads were essential to enable the apparatus to be moved in the direction of the trench. However, it has now been discovered that, because the weight of the apparatus need not be as great as was thought necessary to enable the piles to be driven and extracted relative to the apparatus, the bearing pads are not essential, since the apparatus can be pulled or pushed along the ground surface at the top of the trench by means of an excavator, traxcavator or other means.

Accordingly, the present invention provides piling apparatus according to Claim 1 of Patent No. 1,419,071, said apparatus being adapted to be movable over and supported by the ground and for the insertion and withdrawal of a pile into and out of the ground below said piling apparatus, and comprising a rigid framework having poweroperated means connected to the framework, and operably connectable to the pile, so that operation of the power-operated means causes up and down movement of the pile, the apparatus being modified in that the said bearing pads for engagement with the ground, the elements on the pads, the drive motor operative to effect the relative movement between each pad and its element, and the lifting device connected between each element and the rigid framework to raise and lower the framework relative to the pad are omitted, said apparatus having sledge-type longitudinal runners or other means to reduce the load required to enable the apparatus to be moved in a desired direction of travel.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of piling apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cut-away view in the direction of arrow "X" in Figure 1 and showing a piling jack for driving the piles or sheet members relative to the apparatus; and Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in a one mode of operation.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figure 1, the piling apparatus is indicated generally by reference numeral 2 and comprises a rigid box-like framework which is mounted on or which includes a base plate 6. Alternatively sledge-type longitudinal runners or other means to reduce the load required to enable the apparatus to be moved may be provided in place of the base plate.

The rigid box-like framework 8 has side structures 10 and 10A and end structures 12 respectively. The framework 8 is supported and braced by a plurality of bracing members, two of which are indicated by reference numeral 14.

Adapted to move vertically relative to the side structures 10 and 10A of the framework 8, are two opposed driving beams 16 and 18 each of which are fabricated structures and each incorporating two horizontally spaced, vertically disposed plates 20, 22 and 24, 26 respectively so as to form vertically extending slots 28 and 30 therebetween which correspond in position to the slots between the members forming the side structures 10 and 10A. Locatable in said slots 28 and 30 is a plurality of piles 32 and 34 each of which has a plurality of vertically spaced holes 36 therein. The piles are coupled to said driving beams 16 and 18 by passing pins (not shown) through lugs 38 and 40 of the driving beams 16 and 18, and through the holes 36 in the piles 32 and 34.

The driving beams 16 and 18 are shown in their lowermost positions and are movable vertically relative to the framework 8 by a plurality of fluid pressure-operated piling jacks 42. The cylinder of each piling jack 42 is secured by a pin joint 44 to a bottom member 46 of the box-like framework 8 and the piston rod 48 of each jack 42 is connected to the underside of the driving beam 18, so that actuation of the jack 42 will cause the driving beam 18 to move upwardly and take with it the piles coupled thereto and then by reversing the jack 42 the beam 18, and any piles connected thereto, to move downwardly relative to the framework 8.

There will be four such piling jacks, one towards each end of the driving beams 16 and 18, the jacks of each driving beam being operated in unison with each other. If desired all four piling jacks may be operated in unison.

A box 80 is provided on the base plate 6, the box 80 housing the controls for the piling jacks.

In operation, referring now to Figure 3, the mode of operation illustrated is a continuous mode of operation to be adopted for the continuous driving piles i.e. one in which the piling apparatus 2 works in advance of an excavator 82 and where the piles may not be extracted after the laying of the pipe sections 84 and the filling-in of the trench after the pipe sections have been laid. The piles or sheet members 32 and/or 34 are pitched and driven continuously and the piling apparatus 2 of the invention continuously advances.

Referring firstly to the insertion of a single line of piles, the piles are pitched relative to the apparatus 2 by a crane or other means (not shown) so that the piles enter the slot 28 whereafter the driving beam 16 is moved vertically upwards relative to the framework 8. The pitched piles 32 are then coupled to the driving beam 16 by passing pins (not shown) through some at least of the lugs 38 so that each pin engages in one of the holes 36 in each of the piles to be driven. The piles so coupled to the driving beam 16 are then driven into the ground below the level of the apparatus by reversing the piling jacks so as to move downwardly the driving beam 16. The pins are then removed and the driving beam 16 again moved upwardly and re-coupled to the piles.

During the course of driving the piles, further piles or sheet members may be pitched, coupled to the driving beam and driven into the ground.

The reaction to the upward forces during the driving of the piles and the subsequently pitched piles is provided by the weight of the apparatus 2, but where this weight is insufficient, kentledge (not shown) may be located on the base plate 6 and/or some or all of the driven piles may be pinned to the framework 8 by passing pins (not shown) through holes 8A in the framework 8.

The piles 32 will be driven into the ground, the final driving of the piles 32 being achieved by inserting a member or members between the upper surfaces of the piles and the lower surfaces of the driving beam 16 so that upon downward movement of the driving beam said member or members will act downwardly on the piles 32.

In the case where the excavation is to take the form of a trench, the piles 34 will also be pitched and driven, preferably simultaneously with the piles 32, so that two opposed lines of piles 32 and 34 will be inserted into the ground.

When the piles have been driven to their final positions, the apparatus 2 is moved in the direction "D" of the trench by attaching the leading end of the apparatus an excavator, traxcavator or similar pulling means which then pulls the apparatus to the next section of trench. When the apparatus has been so moved, the driving ot the piles or sheet member may be recommenced.

It will be appreciated that the piles may be driven individually by connecting them singly to one of the driving beams. It will also be appreciated that a single line of piles may be pitched and driven as above described.

Where the piles are to be extracted, the driving beam(s) is or are coupled to the pile or piles and the piling jacks 42 operated to move the driving beam or beams upwardly.

The extraction of the piles may take place singly or more than one at a time, and from one or two lines or piles.

It will be appreciated that apparatus according to the invention, although being shown operating at ground level, may be used below ground level, i.e. where the trench proper is to be some distance below the natural ground level, in which case, the ground between the natural ground level and the top of the trench proper will be removed and may be formed with inclined sides in order to prevent cave-ins in that section of the excavation.

It will also be appreciated the piles may be withdrawn from the trench into the piling apparatus each time that the apparatus is moved forwardly in the direction of the trench, so that the piles are advanced with the apparatus. In such a case, the apparatus will work in conjunction with and not in advance of the excavation shown in the drawings.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Piling apparatus according to Claim 1 of Patent No. 1,419,071, said apparatus being adapted to be movable over and supported by the ground and for the insertion and withdrawal of a pile into and out of the ground below said piling apparatus, and comprising a rigid framework having poweroperated means connected to the framework, and operably connectable to the pile, so that operation of the power-operated means causes up and down movement of the pile, the apparatus being modified in that the said bearing pads for engagement with the ground, the elements on the pads, the drive motor operative to effect the relative movement between each pad and its element, and the lifting device connected between each element and the rigid framework to raise and lower the framework relative to the pad are omitted, said apparatus having sledge-type longitudinal runners or other means to reduce the load required to enable the apparatus to be moved in a desired direction of travel.

2. Piling apparatus according to Claim 1 which is advanced in the desired direction of travel by pulling or pushing means.

3. Piling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. opposed lines of piles 32 and 34 will be inserted into the ground. When the piles have been driven to their final positions, the apparatus 2 is moved in the direction "D" of the trench by attaching the leading end of the apparatus an excavator, traxcavator or similar pulling means which then pulls the apparatus to the next section of trench. When the apparatus has been so moved, the driving ot the piles or sheet member may be recommenced. It will be appreciated that the piles may be driven individually by connecting them singly to one of the driving beams. It will also be appreciated that a single line of piles may be pitched and driven as above described. Where the piles are to be extracted, the driving beam(s) is or are coupled to the pile or piles and the piling jacks 42 operated to move the driving beam or beams upwardly. The extraction of the piles may take place singly or more than one at a time, and from one or two lines or piles. It will be appreciated that apparatus according to the invention, although being shown operating at ground level, may be used below ground level, i.e. where the trench proper is to be some distance below the natural ground level, in which case, the ground between the natural ground level and the top of the trench proper will be removed and may be formed with inclined sides in order to prevent cave-ins in that section of the excavation. It will also be appreciated the piles may be withdrawn from the trench into the piling apparatus each time that the apparatus is moved forwardly in the direction of the trench, so that the piles are advanced with the apparatus. In such a case, the apparatus will work in conjunction with and not in advance of the excavation shown in the drawings. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Piling apparatus according to Claim 1 of Patent No. 1,419,071, said apparatus being adapted to be movable over and supported by the ground and for the insertion and withdrawal of a pile into and out of the ground below said piling apparatus, and comprising a rigid framework having poweroperated means connected to the framework, and operably connectable to the pile, so that operation of the power-operated means causes up and down movement of the pile, the apparatus being modified in that the said bearing pads for engagement with the ground, the elements on the pads, the drive motor operative to effect the relative movement between each pad and its element, and the lifting device connected between each element and the rigid framework to raise and lower the framework relative to the pad are omitted, said apparatus having sledge-type longitudinal runners or other means to reduce the load required to enable the apparatus to be moved in a desired direction of travel.

2. Piling apparatus according to Claim 1 which is advanced in the desired direction of travel by pulling or pushing means.

3. Piling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.